Amazing Care Package From Fred

The Instagram Card Community is a great place for trading baseball cards and memorabilia, but the average age of the users appears to be about 15 or so.  I am one of the oldest people who are trading actively on there.  One of the other folks who are about my age is Fred, who is also from NC.  He told me recently that he was preparing a care package for me, just because, and told me that I would really enjoy it.

Fred was right!

I was very surprised to find this Brooks Robinson signed OMLB.  According to Fred, he had this ball for a LONG time and decided that when he parted with it, it should go to someone who would love it.  Again, Fred was right.  I really love this baseball.  I now have three of them: this one, one my mom gave me and one that I got TTM.  This one might have the cleanest signature of all.

Fred also included this really nice Christian Walker Bowman Inception auto.  I like the design on these cards and the signature on this one is really great.  I just can't get over how amazing this care package was.  Fred is a great guy, and I'm happy that the NC and Instagram Card Communities have such a strong bond!

Ebay Pickup - In The Game Manny Machado Auto

My friend from Instagram, Fred, messaged me recently and showed me this Manny Machado autographed card that was really cheap.  I ended up winning the auction for $15.00.  I was disappointed that the card was delivered in a PWE and came a bit curved, but I put it in a better toploader and am straightening it.

The card is nice, though, and I really appreciated Fred showing it to me.  I have quite a few Manny autos, now.  I just wish he would start hitting for the season, because the Orioles need his bat right now.

Thanks for showing me the card, Fred!

Care Package From Fred - 1978 Topps Eddie Murray RC

There is a guy on Instagram who hails from NC, just like I do, that I talk to every now and then about collecting.  His name is Fred, and he goes by the handle 1steeleman.  Fred and I haven't ever traded before, but we talk about it a lot.  We just haven't ever really pulled the trigger on a deal, especially since Fred is a big fan of vintage, and it is really hard for me to part with any significant stuff from that era.

While Fred and I have chatted, I have determined that he is a really good guy.  I think he might be a couple years older than I am, so he is one of the few adults on Instagram, at least from what I have seen.  With him being from NC, I'm certain that we will be meeting in person much sooner rather than later, especially if I go to and of the upcoming card shows in the area.

Anyway, Fred surprised me with a care package the other day saying that he appreciated what all I did for the card community and also to help keep the NC collecting strong.  I wasn't expecting this card, however, when I opened the package.  I was really excited to see this Eddie Murray RC inside the padded mailer.

Going back to my post about Ryu the other day, and now this one about Fred, I really am happy that I am a part of this community.  That's what we are, a community.  Sure, there are some folks in it for the money, but when you can look past those folks and find a Fred who gives without thought of reward, well, that really makes this a great place to be.  I can't wait for the day to meet him in person and shake his hand.

Thank you so much for the card, Fred!  I really appreciate it, and I hope to be able to find something good for your collection one day.