I Made A Friend, And He Hooked Me Up With Some Autos

I never did get to Buies Creek this season for a game.  I really wanted to, but never got the chance.  Instead, I went elsewhere and got autos.  During the season, however, I made friends with a few of the graphers who come regularly to Wood Ducks games.  One of them, Ben, also came to the Mudcats while we were there.  The more and more we chatted at games, the more and more we enjoyed ourselves.  At the end of the season, while I was in Kinston catching the Wood Ducks against the Dash, Ben went to Buies Creek.  He was more than willing to take a few cards for me, and hooked me up with a few autos.

Unfortunately, the game ended early due to rain, so Ben's graphing was limited, but he was able to get me the above cards.  He missed out on JB Bukauskas, since he had been promoted a few days prior.  Still, I was happy with the cards that Ben got done for me.

Thanks so much, Ben!  I can't wait to graph the Wood Ducks with you next season!

Christmas Gift From Ben

The Christmas gifts really rolled in during the days leading up to my tour of NC (driving across the state to various houses to visit family).  One of the packages that came in was from my good friend, Ben, who I have been talking to and trading with for quite a while, now.

Ben has been really busy lately, so we haven't been able to talk as much, but every time we do, it is always a good time.

Ben sent me some nice cards, but the highlight of the package was this 2003 Fleer Avant Brooks Robinson auto numbered 149/300.  I had never seen these before.  The card is very clean and looks sharp.  I bet they have some other nice autos in this set.  I obviously didn't have it, so it will take a spot in my Brooks PC.

Thank you for the package, and your friendship, Ben!  I know you're a busy dude, so we will just enjoy the short time we are able to talk that much more.  Thanks buddy!

Belated Birthday Present From Ben

I got a birthday package a few weeks ago from my friend, Ben.  The highlight of the package was this 2003 UD Sweet Spot Classic relic card of Cal Ripken.  I actually didn't have this card in my collection, so it was a real hit for me.  There were a bunch of other Orioles cards in the package, as well, but adding a Ripken that I didn't already have is a huge bonus.

I really appreciated the thought from Ben, especially since he has been so busy lately with school, work, and baseball.  The fact that he took time out to think of me really meant a lot.

Thanks for the gift, Ben!

Instagram Trade With Ben - 2014 Topps Tribute Dylan Bundy Auto

I apologize for not writing over the last few days.  I was out of town again for work, and this time didn't take my laptop with me.  While, it was a tough few days, it was kind of nice to get into the hotel and not feel obligated to crank out a blog post while my mind was elsewhere.

Also, the way the Orioles have played recently has really made me want to step away for a bit and regroup, somewhat.  Man, have they been mediocre.

Anyway, I did get a little bit of mail in over the last few days, and one of them was a mailer from my good friend, Ben.  I saw that he had gotten this Dylan Bundy in, specifically to trade to me, so I did my best to work up something nice for him.  I actually overspent quite a bit, but I wanted to do something really nice for Ben, since he is a really good guy.  So, I got him a nice Felix Hernandez auto for his new PC, which he was really happy to receive.

This Bundy is a really nice card, as you can't do too wrong with Topps Tribute (aside from the 2015 version, apparently).  Bundy's signature looks good on this card, and is an on-card signature, not a sticker auto.

I'm very happy that Ben and I made this deal, if only because of his response when he saw the Felix.  I'm glad I could hook a friend up.  Thanks for the trade, Ben!

Final Mailday From Sean - Saying Goodbye to a Scammer

It's funny that I finally got around to posting some cards that I got from Sean from Instagram today.  These got here randomly in mid-February, right when Sean disappeared from Kik/Instagram again (for something like the third time or so).  When we first met, we were pretty cool, then I started to see a lot of people posting that he had scammed them out of cards.  He disappeared soon after, then reappeared in October with a new screen name, and a new Kik ID.  Sean, then, befriended my buddy, Ben, and worked out a trade.  Ben is a really awesome kid that I talk to every day.  He asked me what I thought of Sean, and I told him honestly that Sean was always good to me, but had a really bad reputation, after having scammed a few people.  Ben was really skeptical of making a trade with him, but went through with it.

Unfortunately, Ben never received his cards, after Sean messaged him to tell him that he got what Ben sent.  So, after the two of them went back and forth about Sean sending Ben back his cards (which Sean never did), Sean disappeared again.  I held off posting this mailday from Sean, out of respect to Ben because I hoped that Sean would do the right thing and replace Ben's stuff.

Today, out of the blue, Sean messaged me and right off the bat told me how disappointed he was that I never messaged him on his birthday back in April.  This kind of stuff frustrates me.

I try to be a good trade partner, and a lot of times, I make friends in the process.  I hardly ever have a bad experience with people, but with all of the drama that has surrounded Sean in the past, I pretty much told him that I didn't want to do any more trading, especially since he hasn't made things right with the other folks who he had apparently scammed.

You all who read my blog regularly, know how much I enjoy Instagram as a vehicle to make and complete trades.  There are a ton of good people on there, adults and kids alike.  I generally give folks the benefit of the doubt, and I am always giving folks second and third chances.  While I appreciate these cards, I won't be dealing with Sean or his friends any more.  They all have done ok by me, but they each have scammed others.  The trading community doesn't need a bunch of scammers around scaring off the actual good folks in the community.

So, I apologize for the negative tone of this post, but I felt that it might be inappropriate id I tried to paint Sean in a good light when he hasn't been legit with others.  Maybe one day, he will work on bettering himself, but in the meantime, I think I will be better off if I sever ties.

Mailday From Ben

A while ago, I got a care package in the mail from my buddy, Ben.  In the package was a bunch of Orioles cards, many of which I needed in my collection.  The above 2012 Panini Cooperstown Induction Year card of Brooks Robinson is really nice, as it is made of a thin piece of wood.

I have the Walter Johnson version of this card, but definitely was pleased to have the Brooks added to my PC.  I knew it existed, but I hadn't gotten one until now.

Another nice card that Ben included was this 2014 Topps Chris Tillman pink parallel numbered 30/50.  I didn't have this one, either, and I don't have a whole lot of Tillman stuff.

I had sent Ben several Orioles rally towels from Fan Fest for him and his family, and apparently, they were a hit.  Ben is a really nice guy, and I'm glad we have connected over cards.  Thanks for the package, Ben!