Cards from the Alley family

Recently when I posted about the huge UK phenomenon that is Match Attax Football, I was contacted by a reader in the US of A who asked if I wouldn't mind sending her son some cards. He is a big Evertonian and Premiership Football fan. They would be happy to send some baseball back my way. I have no absolutely no problem with this, in fact this is the sort of trade I was trying to encourage. I sent a Match Attax magazine, some other football magazines that had promotion packs attached and a number of Match Attax packs.
The Alley family were more than generous in their return package, five packs of baseball cards, and a Sweet Spot tin filled with roughly 50 Red Sox cards, including the Papelbon Jersey card. I will crack the packs in Pursuit of Red Sox but here is a selection of the cards they sent my way;

2007 SP Authentic #59 Jonathan Papelbon
2007 Fleer Ultra #22 Josh Beckett
2008 Sweet Spot #29 Daisuke Matsuzaka
2008 Sweet Spot #50 Jason Bay
2008 Bowman Chrome #147 Kevin Youkilis
2008 Bowman Chrome #189 Jacoby Ellsbury
2008 Goudey #206 Fred Lynn
2008 Topps Co-signers #19 Curt Schilling
2009 Bowman #BP6 Stolmy Pimentel
2009 Bowman #26 Tyler Yockey
2009 Bowman Chrome #BDPP25 Christian Vazquez
2009 Bowman Chrome #BDPP35 Tim Federowicz
2009 Goudey #24 Justin Masterson
2009 SP Authentic #15 Dustin Pedroia
2009 SP Authentic #31 Jon Lester
2009 SP Legendary Cuts #111 Carlton Fisk #345/550

A huge thanks to the Alley family as they went all out to send some great Red Sox stuff. I have collected a few more Everton items (and Match Attax cards) for their son and they are keeping an eye out for Jacoby Ellsbury cards at their local card shop. Sounds like another trade in the making.

Trade with Derek from Hey That's Mine

Many of us have returned to card collecting after a break. For me it was getting married and having children. Less time, less disposable income and just being plain knackered. Now my children are at an age where collecting can be a shared experience, there is a little left over at the end of the month and well frankly sleep is overrated.
So it was great to find the blog Hey That's Mine. Derek returned to card collecting after a 25 year break and made up for lost time by arranging many trades. Like Derek I started blogging not just to keep a record of my collecting but to meet fellow collectors and arrange a few trades. A quick e-mail and a positive response set the wheels in motion.
I sent Hey That's Mine these and now for me to share the return.
Derek sent these Red Sox from Grand Prairie Texas but the package was postmarked Dallas, which is so cool;
2001 Donruss #23 Manny Ramirez
2001 Upper Deck #34 Carlton Fisk
2002 Donruss #9 Manny Ramirez
2002 Donruss #12 Nomar Garciaparra
2002 Fleer Tradition #312 Jason Varitek
2003 Fleer Hot Prospects #28 Manny Ramirez
2004 Donruss World Series #24 Curt Schilling
2004 Donruss World Series #25 Dwight Evans
2004 Donruss World Series #27 Jason Varitek
2004 Donruss World Series #28 Jim Rice
2004 Donruss World Series #29 Johnny Damon
2004 Donruss World Series #31 Manny Ramirez
2004 Donruss World Series #33 Pedro Martinez
2004 Topps Bazooka #154 Johnny Damon
2005 Leaf #30 Curt Schilling
2005 Leaf #32 Doug Mientkiewicz
2005 Leaf #34 Johnny Damon
2005 Leaf #35 Manny Ramirez
2005 Leaf #36 Pedro Martinez
2005 Leaf #37 Trot Nixon
2005 Leaf #64 Victor Martinez
2009 Upper Deck X #10 Jonathan Papelbon
2009 Upper Deck X #11 Jacoby Ellsbury
2009 Upper Deck X #13 David Ortiz
2009 Upper Deck X #14 Daisuke Matsuzaka
2009 Upper Deck X #X-KY Kevin Youkilis

Thank you Big D for the trade and yes I did like them.

Trade with Big B from Waxaholic

Brian from Waxaholic and I have traded cards across the pond for a good 12 months now. The package that arrived from Brian the other day contained cards that recognised that I have more than one pursuit.

Firstly he sent these 4 Jacoby Ellsbury cards for Pursuit of Jacoby.

This chronicles my attempts to collect all the Jacoby cards with no specific print runs from 2005 to the present.

Secondly 2 Junk Wax packs for Pursuit of Red Sox.

Any packs I manage to beg, borrow or buy are opened here in search of Red Sox.

And lastly 4 cards for the Pursuit of 1980's Topps.

This was my first and a long term pursuits, but thanks to Brian and a host of other generous collectors might be coming to an end very soon. There are now only 3 cards I need to collect the whole 726 set. In an era that was devoid of short printed, different coloured parallels and mini refractor relics, it has been a quest that was attainable.
Many thanks to Brian for this much appreciated package.

Big League Baseball card game

I need some assistance with this set of cards, there is very little in way of explanation on the interwebs. When I first collected baseball cards in the early 80's, rather than just admire them I invented a game using a spinner. I kept detailed records of the statistics and players averages. I'm sure I am not alone. There must be many variations on the theme.
I bought The EXCITING and SENSATIONAL Game of 'BIG LEAGUE BASEBALL' on ebay out of curiosity. The copyright is 1949. The seller stating in the advert, that he thought this was probably a reprinted version as it was in such excellent condition.

A search of 'Big League Baseball', 'State College Game Laboratory' and 'Robert L. Arble' directed me to similar items on e-bay, an empty Wiki entry and a query as to whether I wanted Robert Marble instead. So I am none the wiser.

The seller was correct it is in excellent condition, untouched hence un-played, which is a travesty. The contents of the box includes 36 playing cards, which are the same size as regular playing cards, two score sheets and a rules leaflet. Simple and easy to play. Its compact size makes it convenient to carry for amusement at any time.The opening paragraph of the rules leaflet goes like this.

'The game is played according to the rules which exist for the major league baseball games. Any one who is not familiar with baseball rules can obtain a baseball handbook from any sporting goods store.'

Then follows an explanation of some of the cards that are turned up. A very clear description of a double play is given.

'Batter and runner on first base are out. If first base is unoccupied, batter and runner on second base are out. If first and second base are unoccupied, batter and runner on third are out. If bases are unoccupied batter is out. If there are no outs, runners not involved in double play advance one base.'

This is a small selection of some of the playing cards. Wild pitch looks interesting and is the home run card modelled on the Babe and single on Ted Williams? The simplicity of this particular games puts the recent Topps Attax game in the shade.

Have you ever played this game or a variation of it?

Trade with Justin from Is this a Wasteland?

Some cards we like instantly, others we push to side and think 'What the...?' The above card, an insert in the 2003 Topps set, was one of those cards that I instantly liked and it wasn't shiny. I have been able to gather a few these Red and Blue Backs fashioned after the 1951 Topps set but this one of Pedro I didn't have. Justin from Is this a Wasteland.. included it in a package I received amidst postage turmoil here in the UK. Justin also enclosed another guilty pleasure, unopened packs. 5 2007 Fleer Ultra packs, which I will bust in my search for Red Sox.
Also included in the package from Largo Florida were:

1994 Upper Deck #21 Jeff McNeeley Star Rookie
1994 Upper Deck #45 Aaron Sele The Future is Now
1998 Donruss Preferred #23 Big Mo Vaughn

1998 Donruss Elite #82 Nomar Garciaparra
1998 Upper Deck Premier #1/10 Nomar Garciaparra RC
2001 Topps #571 Wilson Veras 0426/2001
2001 Topps Chrome #T219 Juan Diaz
2001 Topps Sweetness #TC15 Ted Williams
2002 Topps #311 Kevin Youkilis RC
2002 Topps American Pie #AS-CF Carlton Fisk
2003 Bazooka #65 Nomar Garciaparra
2003 Topps Opening Day #NN Pedro Martinez mini
2003 Topps Red Backs #39 Pedro Martinez
2003 Upper Deck #337 Bill Mueller
2004 Upper Deck #31 Kevin Youkilis

An excellent assortment of Rookies, inserts and a numbered gold parallel. As always Justin -its great to trade.

Trade with Ed from Roll out the Barrel

The postal workers of the United Kingdom were 'on strike' for two days this week, so I was surprised to receive not one, but two packages from the US. These arrived like book-ends on either side of the strike while very little else did. Amazingly however credit card applications and bills managed to be delivered as well. These along with coackroaches, it is rumoured, will survive a nuclear attack.

Another interesting fact that has emerged during all this -is that it takes between three and four weeks to clear two days of back logged post.

Firstly the package from Ed at Roll Out the Barrel and what a beauty it was. A game used bat, two Jacobys and my first taste of Goodwins Champions. The Goodwins have received mixed reviews around the blogs. Comments such as: dubious quality, multiplication in packs, Evil Lincoln, Topps did it better in A+G and so on. I liked them and the Jacoby mini is superb although a little spooky...

Here is the rest the package from Hartland Wisconsin;

1982 Fleer Boston Logo sticker

2004 Leaf #PTT 266 Pedro Martinez

2005 Topps #UH151 JohnnyDamon

2006 Flair Showcase #50 Curt Schilling

2008 Stadium Club #55 Dustin Pedroia

2008 Stadium Club #19 Jed Lowrie

2008 UD Timelines #226 Clay Buchholz

2008UD Timelines Mayo #136 Davis Ortiz

2008 UD Timelines Mayo #168 Daisuke Matsuzaka

2008 Upper Deck X #15 Josh Beckett die-cut

2008 Upper Deck X #16 Clay Buchholz die-cut

2008 Upper Deck X #X-JB Josh Beckett

2009 A+G #7 John Smoltz

2009 A+G #11 Jacoby Ellsbury

2009 A+G #29 Jonathan Papelbon

2009 A+G #119 Kevin Youkilis

2009 A+G #215 Jed Lowrie

2009 A+G #291 Josh Beckett

2009 A+G #348 Justin Masterson

2009 Bowman #20 Josh Beckett

2009 Bowman #38 Dustin Pedroia

2009 Goodwins Champions #3 Jon Lester

2009 Goodwins Champions #23 Kevin Youkilis

2009 Goodwins Champions #78 Jason Varitek

2009 Goodwins Campions #225 Jacoby Ellsbury mini black border

2009 Icons #61 Jon Lester

2009 OPC #192 Hideki Okajima

2009 OPC #550 Jonathan Papelbon

2009 OPC #577 George Kottaras

2009 Topps #77 Jon Lester

2009 Topps #CBR-BRA Rocco Baldelli relic

2009 Topps Chrome #31 Kevin Youkilis

2009 Topps Chrome #110 Jonathan Papelbon

Thank you Ed. Superb cards once again.

2009/2010 Topps Match Attax

There are a few readers out there who have, in the past, shown an interest in these cards, mainly for the American born players and a few who support a particular English club.

For the third year running Topps have released the 'Match Attax Trading Card Game' series of collectible cards. For the past two years Topps has seen unprecedented popularity for this set, mainly in the UK. This year, however, they have decided to go global. Whether that means these cards will be available in the US or Canada I am not sure but they are advertising swap and play events in Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa and Australia.

The presentation of the cards has changed very little;

There are 444 cards to collect, 425 last year,
There are 6 cards per packet,
The predominate colour for this years set is orange, rather than the blue Topps has used for the last two years,
Inserts include Man of the Match and 100 Club 'rainbow' foils,
New Inserts included this year are manager cards and i-cards (similar to the Topps Attax baseball) with redemption codes,
There are 100 Theo Walcott (Arsenal) and 1000 Shey Given (Manchester City) autographs inserted into LUCKY packs,
There are 7 Limited Edition cards available in starter packs, collectors tins, collectors guides and available in some football related magazines for a short time. Interestingly two stores are also giving away limited edition cards (while stocks last, naturally).

Currently eleven American born players are plying their trade in the English Premiership:

(Players in bold have cards in the Match Attax set)

Jozy Altidore Hull City,

Clint Dempsey Fulham,

Brad Friedel Aston Villa,

Brad Guzan Aston Villa,

Marcus Hahnemann Wolves,

Tim Howard Everton,

Eddie Johnson Fulham,

Eric Lichaj Aston Villa,

Boaz Myhill Hull City,

Jonathan Spector West Ham and

Brede Hangeland Fulham.

(although born in Texas he has played for Norway about 50 times)

and 2 players from Canada:

David Edgar Burnley,

David Huilett Blackburn Rovers.

I busted 6 packs for your pleasure.

Pack 1:

Stephen Carr Birmingham City

David James Portsmouth

Mario Melchiot Wigan Athletic

Emmanuel Eboue Arsenal

James McFadden Birmingham City

Martin Paterson Burnley i-card

Pack 2:

Steven Caldwell Burnley

Joey Gudjonsson Burnley

Luke Young Aston Villa

Joel Ward Portsmouth

Phil Jagielka Everton

El-Hadji Diouf Blackburn Rovers i-card

Pack 3:

Kevin Davies Bolton Wanderers

Cameron Jerome Birmingham City

Daryl Murphy Sunderland

Jermaine Jenas Tottenham Hotspur

Paul Robinson Bolton Wanderers

Robert Green West Ham United i-card

Pack 4:

Jonathan Spector West Ham

Karl Henry Wolverhampton Wanderers

Ryan Giggs Manchester United

Emile Heskey Aston Villa

Jose Bosingwa Chelsea

Theo Walcott Arsenal MOM

Pack 5:

Ryan Babel Liverpool

Kevin Kilbane Hull City

Andy Wilkinson Stoke City

Christophe Berra Wolvehampton Wanderers

Danny Collins Stoke City

Andrey Arshavin Arsenal MOM

Pack 6:

Joleon Lescott Manchester City

Chris Iwelumo Wolverhampton Wanderers

Paul Hart Portsmouth manager

Mark Hughes Manchester City manager

Sir Alex Ferguson Manchester United manager

Carlos Tevez Manchester City i-card

If you have come this far, you are either a football fan or have an insatiable curiosity.
Drop me a message if you would like some of these packs and they will happily find their way to you. I will also throw in the Collectors Guide.