Almost Heaven, West Virginia: Another Bob Walk Production

Some time since the beginning of August, Matt at Bob Walk the Plank sent me a package of Brewer cards -- some serial numbered, others with fabric swatches, and others with autographs. Since Matt's a big WVU guy and in honor of their kickoff game here in Atlanta at the Georgia Dome when the Mountaineers play against Alabama (and yes, their fans really do wear hats made of Tide detergent boxes with rolls of toilet paper attached), here's the WVU fight song:

And to prove I'm not making that up about Alabama fans, here's a real photo of that phenomenon:

Nothing is more manly than a pom-pom, body paint, and toilet paper above your ears. Right, bro? My wife went to Auburn, and I went to Georgia and Vanderbilt -- so "round the bowl down the hole roll tide roll".

Anyway, to the cards! Here's a 2014 insert I needed for my Robin Yount collection:

It's the same photo as has appeared on a few other cards that Topps has issued. In other news, the sun rose in the east this morning.

Now, for the serial-numbered varietals.

This Nelson Cruz is both autographed and serial numbered (45/250).  I remember when the Brewers traded him away. They had stolen him from the Oakland Athletics for Keith Ginter. Then, when they decided to try to get something in exchange for Carlos Lee other than a draft pick, they had to add Cruz to the deal -- I suppose to make sure they got Laynce Nix.  The whole trade was Cruz and Lee for Nix, Kevin Mench, Francisco Cordero, and a minor league pitcher. Not the Brewers best trade, to be honest.

This big Prince is a parallel to another card I have already. But, I didn't have this parallel as it is serial numbered 40 out of 99.

Trevor Hoffman racked up his 600th save as a Brewer. This red parallel from 2011 is serial numbered 126 of 245.

Finally, Matt also sent me some relics:

Big Ben Sheets with a swatch of white fabric. I like the photo of Sheets, and I can see why game-worn jersey relics are so passe these days. 

Rickie Weeks with short hair and a white piece of fabric.  I'm not sure why the stadium behind Weeks couldn't have been personalized to be Miller Park, though.   

Bat and jersey relics are great additions to my player collections. Otherwise, they tend to be less than inspiring.  This bat relic, though, is pretty cool. I appreciate that SP/Upper Deck took the time to add the Milwaukee logo to the relic. It actually makes the relic feel a bit more special.

Matt, I like these cards a lot. My snarkiness is in overdrive today, but these cards are awesome and are much appreciated.  Thank you very much, and hopefully I can send you more Buccos soon.  

Could you beat the Cardinals a couple of times, though? 

Trade with The Home Run Apple

For those of you who have read this blog for a month or so, you'll know that I bought a box of the Topps Museum Collection with its four packs inside and was slightly underwhelmed.  Okay, really underwhelmed. I did get a case hit, though -- a /10 redemption for a Museum Collection Auto Silver Frame of Allen Craig. I tried to sell it on eBay with an opening bid of $70 -- thinking that it looked good next to the other redemption for the same item on which the seller was asking $100.

During the time that the auction was listed, Keith G. from The Home Run Apple -- a Mets collector in West Virginia -- reached out to me and said that he'd be interested in the redemption if the auction cratered.

The auction cratered, and, to be honest, I'm quite glad it did.  Keith sent me a little money by PayPal (which, of course, I've spent on more Brewers Team Sets....surprise!) and some great cards by mail.  Without further ado, here's what Keith shipped southward.

Let's sweat the small stuff:

 

Let's start with what I've decided is my favorite of the throwback sets, Allen & Ginter.  This trifecta of minis from the 2009 set -- with then-Brewers Prince Fielder and "Back in Black not Hell's Bells" Trevor Hoffman setting up shop next to current Brewer and then-Ray Matt Garza.  I think that is pre-tattoo Garza.

So, I collect Robin Yount? Keith has that covered too.

To go along with the mini-theme, Keith sent a Robin Yount Gypsy Queen Mini, which was nice.  But, it wasn't the next addition, which is the Yount Gypsy Queen Bat Relic.  And, adding to the fun is the Canvas Collection reproduction from this year's Museum Collection.  All three are great additions to the Yount/Brewer collection.

Could it get Better?  Oh yeah, definitely.  Keith didn't limit himself to minis or Younts -- he went the next step with autographs and relics too.

Mike Fiers 2013 Gypsy Queen.  I hope he keeps pitching well at AAA and helps the big club this year.

Whoa, that's a really cool Aramis Ramirez relic from the 2014 Museum Collection serial numbered 65/75. That's what I was hoping for when I got the box I bought.  I know, that's a lot to ask, but that's what I wanted....wait, there's more?

Another quad relic of a Brewer?  And this one is a guy who is a player collection of mine?  Serial numbered 18 of 75?  Excellent!  That's a great trade for that Cardinal redemp...what?  No way!

An autographed relic of a guy whose cards I've been loading up on ever since I got back into collecting because, apparently, I have some kind of shortstop and catcher fetish?  Really?  Segura serial numbered 134/299 is just plain cool.

Keith, you definitely exceeded my expectations -- thanks for the trade, and hopefully we can work out another trade in the future!