The last post was what I sent out to a trader in Atlanta. Mostly set-building efforts but definitely a lot of “why did I trade for that?” Let’s explore…
Tony Gwynn & Co.
There wasn’t a big-ticket item in the set. Lots of cards that I’d hate to buy and won’t find in a commons box somewhere.
Top Row: 1983 Donruss Ron Guidry Diamond King (#17), 1985 Donruss Jose Rijo (#492), 1986 Donruss Rookies Robby Thompson (#39), and 1991 Leaf Gold Rookies Reggie Sanders (#BC10).
Bottom Row: 1991 Stadium Club Tony Gwynn (#308), 1993 Fleer Tony Gwynn (#138), 1993 Leaf Tony Gwynn (#28) and Nolan Ryan (#115). Love that 1993 Leaf set!
1995 Donruss
More than once, I’ve done a trade where I’ve added a set that I like and want but not really chasing just to help find needed cards to fill out a trade. The 1995 Donruss set falls into this group. It’s a nice set – don’t get me wrong – just not one I have a lot of or a real passion to complete. Any how…
Row 1: Carlos Delgado (#37), Gary Sheffield (#168), Don Mattingly checklist (#220), Tony Gwynn (#224).
Row 2: Marquis Grissom (#251), David Cone (#289), Julio Franco (#328), and Jim Abbott (#369).
Row 3: Andy Van Slyke (#389), Brett Butler (#390), John Olerud (#433), and Chili Davis (#452).
Row 4: John Smoltz (#461) and John Wetteland (#516).
Metal Universe!
For the record, I -LOVE- the original Metal Universe sets.
Top Row: 1994 SP Mike Piazza (#80), 1996 Topps Derek Jeter (#219), and 1997 Topps Rickey Henderson (#96) and Tony Gwynn (#410). Last one, promise!
Bottom Row: 1996 Metal Universe Mining for Gold Charles Johnson (#7) and three 1997 Metal Universe: Ken Hill (#164), Bobby Jones (#196) and Alan Benes (#227).
2000 Ultra
Top Row: 2000 Bowman’s Best Pablo Ozuna (#106), 2000 Metal Emerald parallel of Brady Anderson (#19), and 2001 Topps Alex Rodriguez (#612) and Phil Wilson / Jake Peavy / Darwin Cubillan (#728).
Bottom Row: 2000 Ultra Ben Petrick (#277), Alfonso Soriano (#293), Trent Durrington (#294), and Ben Molina (#295).
More Early Century
Top Row: 2001 Topps Gold Label (class 1) Geoff Jenkins (#37), 2002 Ultra Andruw Jones (#103) and Bernie Williams (#151), and 2002 Upper Deck MVP Alex Rodriguez (#69).
Bottom Row: 2005 Topps Ryan Sweeney (#308) and Albert Pujols All-Star (#719) and a 2006 Topps Wal-Mart Don Mattingly (#WM34)
2007 Topps
Derek Jeter sans Mantle and Bush (#40), Chien-Ming Wang (#170), and Alfonso Soriano (#270).
The number of players in the trade who played in New York and/or named Gwynn or Rodriguez is surprisingly high.
2019 Bowman Platinum
Top Row: Justus Sheffield (#47), Chance Adams (#96) and Giancarlo Stanton (#100).
Bottom Row: Julio Rodriguez (#TOP63), Bo Bichette (#TOP82), and Prismatic Prodigies Keibert Ruiz (#PPP20). Was supposed to be a Platinum Presence. Oh well.
More randomness
Top Row: 2016 Donruss ’82 Miguel Cabrera (#24), 2019 Topps Heritage New Age Performers Justin Verlander (#NAP12) and Juan Soto (#NAP15), and a 2021 Bowman Chrome Julio Rodriguez (#BCP86).
Bottom Row: 2021 Topps Jazz Chisholm (#538), 2021 Allen & Ginter Ramon Laureano and Trevor Lawrence (#279) and a 2021 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary Aaron Judge (#142).
The Trevor Lawrence was supposed to be one of the 2021 Topps X set. We’re going to swap them out.
2024 Chrome
Top Row: 2024 Topps ’89 Silver Pack Aaron Judge (#2T89C27) and a 2024 Bowman Chrome ’99 25th Anniversary Ethan Salas (#BC2513)
Bottom Row: 2024 Topps Chrome Jordan Balazovic (#198), Ryan Pepiot (#128) and Nick Gonzales (#72).
Slowly catching up!