Tuesday TTM from the ToddFather

Hey guys, Drew back here! It's been a while, but I finally received another TTM, and it was one I didn't expect to see!

Todd Frazier: 1/1 in 587 Days c/o Cincinnati Reds

I thought this Todd Frazier 2013 Topps card was long gone, but sure enough it found its way back into the middle of nowhere! Frazier is becoming one of the premier power hitters in the National League and had a breakout year in 2014; smashing 29 home runs and driving in 80 runs for the mediocre Reds team. One interesting fact about Frazier is that his little league team in Toms River, NJ won the Little League World Series in 1998, and with that he got to run out on the field at Yankee Stadium in the MLB World Series. It turns out he was a shortstop at the time, and stood next to former Yankee captain Derek Jeter for the national anthem. Last year the two reunited at the All Star game, and it made Jeet feel pretty old. 

Frazier is a great player and leader in the MLB today, and I'm really glad to have this card signed of his. Thanks so much Todd for teaching me never to write off any of these TTM requests!

See Ya!

Don't Panik: There's a New Joe Collector

Hey guys, Drew back here. I announced on my last post that I plan on going home after this semester back to my Card Cave and all the memorabilia sporting the walls (I even convinced my mom to hang my Willie Mays signed photo outside my room in the hallway... with mostly family photos nearby)! With that, I'll have a little more of an opportunity to keep up in the hobby, since I'll have all my resources with me. I'll be busier having to commute every day, but it'll be much easier to send some TTM requests out and be a little more involved. And with all that comes an announcement.

I will be collecting any and all Joe Panik cards from here on out, as he will replace Robinson Cano as my main PC! We don't often get to boast about homegrown professional sports players in my hometown, but this kid has been quite special for a long time. And we NEVER get to boast about local World Series champions, but now we do.

Panik come up through the Giants organization to replace the oft-injured Marco Scutaro. I actually had a chance to see him play in San Francisco, but unfortunately I went to one of the few games Scutaro was available for; thus no Panik. After getting adjusted for a few weeks, he took off and was a catalyst down the stretch for a streaky Giants team that needed people to step up. He batted .305 on the season in 287 at bats, and garnered some Rookie of the Year consideration for helping to get the Giants to the Wild Card Game. In such game, he collected 3 hits in 5 trips to the plate and the Giants advanced, and we all know how the rest of the story went. He didn't hit tremendously well in the playoffs from that point forward, but had some huge moments! He tripled in both the NLDS and World Series, homered off of Adam Wainwright in the 5th Game of the NLCS, and who can forget the incredible double play he and Brandon Crawford turned in Game 7? He's shown so much poise for a young player, and my friends at school mess with me for how excited I got seeing him play well.

Needless to say, we're all really proud of Joe at home. He played about a half hour away from my house in high school, and he ended up playing college ball at St. John's University in Queens; a school I considered to be my #2 option before committing elsewhere. I've purchased a Bowman rookie autograph of his in the past and gotten a few autographs TTM last season. I may not be as crazy as I was while collecting Cano, but I just wanted to inform you all that I'll be more than happy to take his cards off your hands!

As for Cano, I'll still be interested in adding some of his older Yankees cards I didn't have yet (his prices have gone down a little since being in Seattle, of course), but I won't be going out of my way. He's a great hitter, and I'm planning on stashing his stuff for when he makes the Hall of Fame one day (knock on wood), and just as he did to the Yankees; I may look to add a little extra profit due to his talent.

If you have anything of Panik's, comment below or email me. I won't be able to trade for a little while but I can keep some ideas aside if they do arise for when I do return home. Alright everyone, have a great day, See Ya!

A Pick-Me-Up from William & Co.!

Hey guys, Drew back here. Boy, has it been a whirlwind of a past month. I finally got a taste of the true college lifestyle (and no, not that kind of taste), and I've been absolutely crushed by homework over the past few weeks. I ended up having to withdraw from a course because I don't feel happy at my school and am transferring back home following this semester. I know it was short lived, but I really want to get back home because I know I'll enjoy the experience much more. 

With all that in mind, I got another great surprise package from my great friend William and one of his newer friends, Max, as well! William keeps me in the loop with the card hobby, and helps me still complete Yankees team sets though I haven't had the time and money to stay involved myself. 

Towards the end of the 2014 season I grew to adjust to Brian McCann, and I think part of it was because he hit a home run in a game I attended. While it was a down year, he still ended up putting up 23 home runs and driving in 75 runs while managing a staff that changed as frequently as the weather on my campus. William sent me three very nice McCann cards that I will gladly include in my Yankees PC box when I get home.

Also, congratulations to Alfonso Soriano on a fantastic career. He won't be getting into Cooperstown in my book, but he had some great moments with the Yankees, and some spectacular seasons with the  Rangers, Nationals, and Cubs before calling it quits at the age of 38. I'll always remember him for the being on the other end of the famous A-Rod trade prior to the 2004 season, but his batting stance and power streaks will always be memorable as a young baseball fan.

This scan covers a very strange range of Yankees history, spanning from two Red Sox turned Yankees, one of the most clutch postseason pitchers in our history, along with a cool Prizm Sabathia card and some prospects. I'm beginning to lose faith in Mason Williams unfortunately, but I wish I could say differently. I got the chance to meet him at a card show a few years ago when the Yankees considered him one of their top prospects, but it seems like things are starting to fall apart for the kid. On a much better note, this is my first card of Michael O'Neill, the son of Yankee great Paul O'Neill! He probably won't amount to anything, but you never know considering he has the blood of the Warrior!

I didn't know this card existed, but I'm really glad they did it during the horrendous "Snoop Lion" phase. I've never been a fan of his music (except for the classic stuff with Dr. Dre of course), but as a relatively big rap fan, its a must have.

Along with all the sweet stuff William included, his new friend Max, an Instagram collector; had included a few cards in the package to send me as well! I plan on getting Max back when I come home, because it was extremely thoughtful of him to do this for me.

I really don't know where I stand as far as Cano goes at this point. I believe my policy is that I'll still take anything of his, but would prefer stuff from his Yankees career over the Mariners stuff. You know, the good memories. Poor guy is going to have a long 10 years in Seattle. This is the blue refractor out of 2013 Topps Chrome, and I have to admit (and this is pretty sad) I spent quite a bit of time questioning whether it was the normal refractor or the blue refractor. However, the card was numbered to 199, and after looking online I confirmed it to be the blue. Max also threw in a Jeter Upper Deck rookie, and even with the wear on the front, I'll take every Jeter card I can get; especially that of the rookie variety!

All in all, thank you both William and Max for some really cool stuff, I'll be sure to get you both back as best as I can as soon as possible!

See Ya!