Trade with Jordan of Triple Play Autos

Here comes yet another tradebait clearance trade that I finished up with Jordan of Triple Play Autos.  I'm not even sure I've posted half of my trades stemming from my clearance posts, but I'm going to give everybody their due credit for trading with me.  Onto the cards that Jordan sent:

You don't see many cards of Gus Triandos and this TCMA from 1986 is the only modern card that I own of him. I've started a PC of Triandos though he doesn't get much cardboard love these days.  Most of the cards I have of him (Read:  all but one) are from his playing days in the '50s and '60's.

Here's a Nick Markakis Refractor from 2007 Topps Chrome that I wasn't expecting in the package.  regardless I'm happy to have it.

 Here's the centerpiece of the trade.  A Chris Ray Autograph from 2007 Upper Deck.  I had gotten his autograph TTM back in spring training 2010 so now I have a certified copy.  I always liked Chris when he was with the Orioles and followed him even after he left the team.

An interesting fact about Chris is that he makes him home in nearby Ashland, Virginia.  He went to college in Williamsburg, VA. at William and Mary and then was drafted by the Orioles.  Chris and his brother Phil just recently opened a brewery called Center of the Universe Brewery in Ashland.  It's right off of Interstate I-95 if any of you guys or gals are traveling through Central VA.  Here's a link to their site right here: Center of the Universe Brewery.

I'll close out the trade post with a Miguel Tejada relic card from 2007 Topps.  I wonder if Miggy is finally done in affiliated baseball after being released by the Orioles Triple-A team this past season?

Thanks Jordan for the trade!

TTM Success: Gus Triandos

Since receiving the Orioles Encyclopedia for Christmas last year I have been reading bits and pieces of it off and on this year.  I had always known Gus Triandos was a good player for the Orioles back in the day yet he doesn't get the credit he deserves.  Most of the Oriole teams he played on from 1955 thru 1962 were fairly forgettable but Gus stands out as the only superstar on the team during that period (other than Brooks Robinson when he started to come into his own).  He was the Orioles All-Star Representative for 3 years (57,58,59) and was a solid backstop from what I can tell.

I began to become intrigued with his career and decided to send him an autograph request.  Ryan from The Great Orioles Autograph Project hooked me up with his home address and now after about a 3 week turnaround, I have these to add to my collection:

These are definitely my favorite TTMs that I have received so far this year.  Thanks Gus for taking time out to sign these cards for me.

Card Show pickups #3: VINTAGE!

My main focus of going to the show was going to be knocking some vintage Orioles off of my list. I wanted to spend most of my money on vintage so lets get right to it:

1954 Topps Bobby Young. This is officially the oldest Orioles card I have in my collection

A couple of 1957's. I really like the simplicity of this set.

Some assorted 1959 Topps High Numbers. I was able to pick these up for a reasonable price.

A couple of nice 196o Topps O's. I really like this set!