Trade with Robert of $30 A Week Habit

I posted the results of my 2012 Topps series 2 hobby box one day last week and within a few hours my "crazy", old trading buddy Robert from $30 a Week Habit contacted me with some cards I needed to complete the set.  I'm only down to just a few cards left for series 2 and I can put this set to rest until Update comes out in about a month.

Here's the numbers I still need for series 2: 360, 438, 475, 574, 581, 584, 585, 603, 644, 647.  Can you help me out?  Also do me a favor and check out my other wantlists above to see if you can help me out with any of my other needs.

Robert also put 2 Orioles minis from Gyspy Queen in the package.  Both JJ Hardy and Mark Reynolds have been crushing the ball lately after both were in nearly season long slumps.  I'm glad their bats are waking up at the right time of year!  The Hardy is a normal mini and the Reynolds is one of the exclusive minis that only come in hobby boxes (I think).

Thanks Robert for the quick and easy trade.  The help on my set and the minis are much appreciated.

Trade with Adam of Arpsmith's Sportscard Obsession

I just completed a trade with Adam of the relatively new blog ARPSmith's Sportscard Obsession.  Adam has been around the blogosphere for a while but just recently took the plunge and started writing his own.  He's a Giants fan so I sent him a bunch of cards from his wantlists and the 3 Willie Mays inserts I pulled from my Gypsy Queen packs.

This is the card that started the whole trade.  A mini of JJ Hardy.  James Jerry had a great year last year coming over from the Twins and it earned him a 3 year contract to stick around in Charm City and hand off SS duties to super prospect Manny Machado when he's ready.  Both have had slow starts to the season but I'm sure as the weather warms, so will their bats.  If anybody else has any mini Orioles from Gypsy Queen (especially the regular back minis) let me know, I'd love to trade with you.

Adam was also able to send a few Cal Ripkens that I didn't have before.  I chose this one card to show because he's wearing sunglasses while batting.  I think this is the only card that I own that shows him donning the shades while batting.

I still have a soft spot for Larry Bigbie.  Thanks a lot David Segui for ruining his career.  I really like this shot of Larry taking a secondary lead from 1st base.  You just don't see this odd camera angle that often.

Here's the first of two firsts that was sent to me.  This is my first Roberto Alomar relic card.  Though it is just a plain grey swatch, I still like the card.  Donruss Champions was a pretty neat set when it came to the relic and autograph cards but the base set was a little bit of a mess design wise.  There was just too much empty space for my liking.

And here's the second of my firsts.  A Lou Aparicio Bat card.  I think my buddy William also got one of these in a trade recently.  It's a really classy looking card in my opinion of a great player.  Everybody says that Frank Robinson was the missing piece that was added to the 1966 WS Champion squad before the season started.  That's true but Lou was an integral part who was aquired 3 years before the 66 season.  In my humble opinion, Little Louie was just as big a part of the team as the Robinsons were and I think a lot of people inadvertently forget that.

Thanks for the awesome trade Adam, I can't wait to trade with you again!

Another Trade with Ted of Crinkly Wrappers

Ted and I just recently pulled off another awesome trade.  The two of us have been blogging for about the same amount of time.  We've traded with each other a number of times that I have lost count.  He always sends great stuff and if you have traded with him, you know I'm not kidding.  Lets take a look at a few of my favorites from the package:

Here's a sparkly JJ Hardy from this years update.  This is actually the only Hardy that I know of that shows him acutally in an O's uniform.  His Heritage and Gypsy Queen cards are photoshopped from Brewers or Twins duds.  This JJ's card is notable to me because he becomes my wife's favorite Oriole now that Luke Scott is now a Tampa Bay Ray.

Here's a pretty sweet card from 2007 Topps Finest.  Obviously, by reading the card you can see that Nick hit 3 homeruns in a game during his rookie season. The date that he accomplished this feat was August 22nd 2006.  It's notable to me because I remember what I was doing that evening.  I was sitting in a bar celebrating a 21st birthday with a chick that I was totally infatuated with at the time.  I even drove her drunk ass home that night and helped her stumble across the parking lot to her apartment.  Nothing happened that night or ever with her just in case you were wondering (or care!).  So yeah, Nick the Stick, 3 HRs, 21st Birthday, no Nookie!

Here's a card that took me by surprise when I was opening up the package.  I was able to find most of the Orioles from this years TTT at a show back in October at bargain basement prices with one exception: Cal Ripken.  Now thanks to Ted's goodwill, I have it for my Cal binder(s).  I'm not in love with this  last year's design, but it's still a really nice card.

Thanks again Ted, you always raise the bar when it comes to our trades.  I try my best to return the favor!

The "New" Orioles jerseys and hats

Earlier today, the Orioles finally revealed their new look for 2012 and beyond.  Take a look:

Here's a picture of the new cartoon bird:

And a comparison of Cartoon Orioles past with the new one:

I know a lot of people around the Orioles blogs, forums, and websites were really excited in anticipation of a new Cartoon Bird being unveiled.  It will sell a lot of new merchandise but I hope fans don't get the wrong idea and think it makes the team any better.

The new logo is a good mix of both of the old ones but wearing the "O's" hat. The updated feel is nice but I actually hate the "O's" hat and the black alternate jerseys that they only wear on Fridays.  I actually hope this doesn't become the "Official" logo and is only worn on the hats.

I personally don't care for the new Home hats with the white panel.  I think it looks too much like a trucker hat. Leave that crap in the 80's!   I prefer the new Road hats with the all black crown but am still not completely sold.

There is one thing I do like is the official return of the orange jersey.  I'd rather see them wear these on Fridays instead of the goth/emo/hipster black jersey.

I think I don't like the idea of wearing an Orioles hat with an cartoon wearing a hat that I detest.  I'm not in a hurry to upgrade my wardrobe anytime soon.