A Surprise Package From Schuyler

I got a nice surprise package from fellow blogger, Schuyler, the other day.  His packages, while few and far between, are always welcome.  Schuyler does something that I wish some of the folks on Instagram would take note of and that is that he included a nice, long letter in with his cards.  Schuyler is a sharp guy, taking aeronautical engineering in college now (more power to ya, buddy).

I met Schuyler through my amazing friend, Drew.  I've known these guys for 5 years now and I have to step back a bit and realize that I have seen these guys (and Scott, too) grow up and move off to college.  I was lucky enough to meet Schuyler in person last summer when I went up to hang with Drew.  Watching these guys grow up and move off to college is really awesome.  I know they will not have a lot of time for cards and blogging while they are in school, but knowing that all of this stuff will be here waiting for them when they graduate, its a cool feeling.

I'm glad I meant enough to Schuyler that he wanted to keep in touch and send a nice letter.  The cards were really ancillary.  I really appreciate the thought, Schuyler and I wish you the best as you embark on your (tough) college career.  Check out Schuyler's blog, Schuyprism.  It is a really good read and is a little different than most card blogs.

In Person Trade With Schuyler

I was able to meet another blogger while I was up at Drew's, his good friend Schuyler.  Schuyler's a great guy who i always try to send Christy Mathewson and Team USA stuff to.  We met him at his family's bookstore, Merritt Books in Millbrook, NY (there website is: www.merrittbooks.com).  I gave him some stuff from our HOF trip and he gave me a few Orioles cards from 2013 Topps.  I'm hoping Schuyler will start posting again on his blog, as well.

It was really awesome being able to meet Schuyler in person.  I'm really digging these in person trades.  I hope I can keep doing them in the near future!

Trading With Schuyler

Sometimes, it's not what cards are in the trade package that matter most; sometimes it's the thought that goes into the trade.  I send Schuyler (check out his blog, he writes rarely, but when he does, it is a great read) cards all the time.  Usually what I send him are Yankees and Team USA cards when I find them.  I met Schuyler through my good friend, Drew, and I feel like Schuyler and I have become pretty good friends as well.

Anyway, Schuyler sent me an envelope this past week that had two cards in it.  One was the above 2008 Topps Gold Lance Cormier and another was a 2011 A&G mini George W. Bush A&G back.  Also included in the envelope was a nice note from Schuyler explaining that he has a hard time keeping up with what I send him and these were the only cards he could find so that I felt like I got something in return.

The note went on to talk about meeting a former Orioles pitching coach in person (Ray Miller - also a former Orioles manager).  My point is, I absolutely loved the thought and the note.  It goes back to my post earlier today about how much I liked when a TTM subject would respond with a note of their own.

So, I plan on continuing to send Schuyler stuff when I find it, because I know he enjoys getting stuff in the mail, much like I do.  He's a really good kid and I'm glad he still blogs from time to time.

Some Mail From Schuyler

I've been friends with Drew for quite a while now.  Since he and I have traded so much over the past few years, he has introduced me to some of his other close friends.  One of whom, Schuyler, has become a regular recipient of cards from me.

Any time I find a Team USA baseball card, I put it aside for Schuyler, since I know he is a huge fan and collector of said Team.  Recently, I went to the National Card Show and found a ton of Bowman Team USA cards.  I grabbed a bunch for myself and made sure to get one of each player I could find for Schuyler.  Schuyler's computer has been down for a while now, so he hasn't been able to send me any messages or post on his blog, but he did something that I really enjoy...  He sent me a letter.

Also included was the above 2010 Allen and Ginter Brian Roberts relic, which, I believe was not in my collection.  Schuyler went to his first card show a few weeks ago and was kind enough to think of me when he saw the card.  The gesture was much appreciated.  I, of course, hadn't been looking for any reciprocity, I just enjoy sending surprise packages of cards to people.

I'm glad the cards I sent to him meant that much and that they have found a good home.  Hopefully, Schuyler's computer issues will be resolved and he can get back to posting.  His blog is one of the more unique voices in the blogosphere and I hope he retains the desire to post his thoughts on a regular basis.  Schuyler, thanks for the card.  You are a good kid and I hope I find some more stuff to send you soon!

Check out Schuyler's blog at: Schuyler's Stuff

More on the Trade With Schuyler

So, I discussed my trade with Schuyler here.  Here are a few of the other highlights from the deal.

He threw in a few 2011 Topps cards.  One of which is this Ivan Rodriguez.  He is seen here talking to Stephen Strasburg.  It seems that Topps likes the relationship between Pudge and Strasburg, as they have shown the duo on several cards, now.

Another cool card is this Kaz Sasaki relic out of Fleer Tradition.  Sasaki was a really good player in MLB, albeit, for a very short time.  He was Seattle's Ichiro, before there was Ichiro.

I traded Schuyler some shiny cards as well as a partial 1987 Topps set (complete with a Bonds RC) for the Bechler auto and these cards (as well as several others which aren't pictured).

Schuyler is a really cool dude and you should check out his blog if you haven't already.  make sure to click 'follow' so he knows people are interested in what he has to say.  I look forward to doing a lot more trades with him in the future.

The Tragic Tale of Steve Bechler

I completed a trade with Schuyler recently for the above 2002 Donruss Studio Steve Bechler Autograph.

Bechler was an Oriole prospect who will forever be a cautionary tale concerning the use of Ephedra and Ephedrine as well as the dangers of heat stroke.

Bechler was only 23 when he died of heat stroke during Spring Training in 2003.  He had been taking a dietary supplement containing Ephedra and possibly had not eaten in approximately 2 days.  He got into 3 games during the 2002 season, pitching for 4.2 innings.

Who knows how the 1998 3rd round draft pick's career would have turned out had he heeded the advice of his trainer and not taken the Ephedra, or his symptoms of heat stroke were identified sooner.

Since his death, and others linked to the drug, ephedra dietary supplements have been banned and removed from store shelves.

Thanks for the trade, Schuyler.  I wish the card had a more positive significance.  I'll post a couple more pieces from the trade later.

Check out Schuyler's blog, he does a really good job over there at Schuyler's Stuff.