I would like to say that this package from Cliff over at Capewood's Collection is something that recently appeared in my mailbox...but if I'm going to say that, you have to redefine the word recently to mean "back in June." I sent Cliff a few Phillies and Astros cards back in June, he sent me a much larger pile of Reds at the same time. Then, in my slowness of posting trade packages, the envelope sat on my shelf for a few weeks months until now!
Since Cliff sent so many cards, let's give the package a proper post with another Top 9!
Here are my nine favorite cards in the trade package.
#9: 2007 Fleer Ultra:
Brandon Phillips
If there was a single line of cards that I wish I had every set from, I think it would either be Fleer Ultra or Fleer Tradition. I loved both card sets as a kid - but by the time the mid 2000s rolled around I wasn't collecting cards anymore. Therefore, this Phillips is (I believe) a new card for me, and I love it!
#8: 1999 Topps Stadium Club:
Pete Harnisch
Here's how you can sum up the mid-90s Reds (as found on the bottom of the back of Harnish's card): "(Harnisch) had best win% (.667) of starters on non-playoff NL teams." Always the bridesmaid, never the bride.
#7: 2007 Topps Turkey Red
Stand Up Double (Griffey Jr.)
I already had this card, but that doesn't stop it from earning a spot in my top 9! I thought it was cool the first time I pulled it from a pack, and I still think it's cool when I get it in a trade package. This is a much more interesting way to do checklists - the only thing that would make it better is if Griffey's real card had been numbered between 76 and 113 since those are the numbers that the checklist covers.
#6: 2011 Bowman:
Brandon Phillips
I've mentioned it a number of times on the blog, but I don't buy Bowman. That doesn't, however, mean that I don't want Reds cards that happen to be Bowman. Rather, I rely on the kindness and generosity of traders like Cliff in order to acquire the Reds without accumulating the rest of the Bowman cards that I don't care about!
#5: 2009 O-Pee-Chee:
Bronson Arroyo
Here's another set that I didn't buy much (or any) of. I don't know why Upper Deck thought that reviving the Canadian brand (which was affiliated with Topps originally) was a good idea (and obviously it wasn't based on sales and the fact that O-Pee-Chee isn't still around).
#4: 2009 O-Pee-Chee:
The Award Show: Brandon Phillips
Here's the third Brandon Phillips card in the countdown - and it's the best of the bunch by far! I think the greatest strength of O-Pee-Chee is the card stock, I love the retro cardboard feel and the complete lack of gloss or foil. Hmm, that sounds like something I suggested Topps do if they want to be a "game changer"...
#3: 2009 Upper Deck SP Authentic:
Joey Votto
I don't know where people get some of these sets. I've never, ever seen a pack of SP Authentic. I guess they must by hobby only or something? Or else I'm blind? That said, this card is pretty nice - though it makes me a bit sad that Votto might be leaving the Reds sooner rather than later...
#2: 2008 Topps Updates:
Bruuuuuuuuuce! (Jay Bruce)
This card highlights Bruce's Major League debut (in which he went 3-3 with a double, two RBIs, and two runs scored). Bruce ended up reaching base all five times he was up in that first game against the Pirates, and the fans responded then (and forever more) with chants of "Bruuuuuuuuuuuuce"! I can only hope that Bruce continues to give Reds fans things to cheer about in the future!
#1: 2011 Topps Opening Day:
Jay Bruce
Cliff sent me both the regular Topps base card and the Opening Day version of this card - but I selected the Opening Day card as my number one card since I didn't previously own it. This card is the iconic image for the Reds 2010 season - it's Bruce's walk-off home run that clinched the NL Central title. I love it!
Thanks for the trade Cliff - and sorry for the delay in getting the cards posted! And, as always, if anyone else would like to trade - check out my want list and make an offer!
Since Cliff sent so many cards, let's give the package a proper post with another Top 9!
Here are my nine favorite cards in the trade package.
#9: 2007 Fleer Ultra:
Brandon Phillips
If there was a single line of cards that I wish I had every set from, I think it would either be Fleer Ultra or Fleer Tradition. I loved both card sets as a kid - but by the time the mid 2000s rolled around I wasn't collecting cards anymore. Therefore, this Phillips is (I believe) a new card for me, and I love it!
#8: 1999 Topps Stadium Club:
Pete Harnisch
Here's how you can sum up the mid-90s Reds (as found on the bottom of the back of Harnish's card): "(Harnisch) had best win% (.667) of starters on non-playoff NL teams." Always the bridesmaid, never the bride.
#7: 2007 Topps Turkey Red
Stand Up Double (Griffey Jr.)
I already had this card, but that doesn't stop it from earning a spot in my top 9! I thought it was cool the first time I pulled it from a pack, and I still think it's cool when I get it in a trade package. This is a much more interesting way to do checklists - the only thing that would make it better is if Griffey's real card had been numbered between 76 and 113 since those are the numbers that the checklist covers.
#6: 2011 Bowman:
Brandon Phillips
I've mentioned it a number of times on the blog, but I don't buy Bowman. That doesn't, however, mean that I don't want Reds cards that happen to be Bowman. Rather, I rely on the kindness and generosity of traders like Cliff in order to acquire the Reds without accumulating the rest of the Bowman cards that I don't care about!
#5: 2009 O-Pee-Chee:
Bronson Arroyo
Here's another set that I didn't buy much (or any) of. I don't know why Upper Deck thought that reviving the Canadian brand (which was affiliated with Topps originally) was a good idea (and obviously it wasn't based on sales and the fact that O-Pee-Chee isn't still around).
#4: 2009 O-Pee-Chee:
The Award Show: Brandon Phillips
Here's the third Brandon Phillips card in the countdown - and it's the best of the bunch by far! I think the greatest strength of O-Pee-Chee is the card stock, I love the retro cardboard feel and the complete lack of gloss or foil. Hmm, that sounds like something I suggested Topps do if they want to be a "game changer"...
#3: 2009 Upper Deck SP Authentic:
Joey Votto
I don't know where people get some of these sets. I've never, ever seen a pack of SP Authentic. I guess they must by hobby only or something? Or else I'm blind? That said, this card is pretty nice - though it makes me a bit sad that Votto might be leaving the Reds sooner rather than later...
#2: 2008 Topps Updates:
Bruuuuuuuuuce! (Jay Bruce)
This card highlights Bruce's Major League debut (in which he went 3-3 with a double, two RBIs, and two runs scored). Bruce ended up reaching base all five times he was up in that first game against the Pirates, and the fans responded then (and forever more) with chants of "Bruuuuuuuuuuuuce"! I can only hope that Bruce continues to give Reds fans things to cheer about in the future!
#1: 2011 Topps Opening Day:
Jay Bruce
Cliff sent me both the regular Topps base card and the Opening Day version of this card - but I selected the Opening Day card as my number one card since I didn't previously own it. This card is the iconic image for the Reds 2010 season - it's Bruce's walk-off home run that clinched the NL Central title. I love it!
Thanks for the trade Cliff - and sorry for the delay in getting the cards posted! And, as always, if anyone else would like to trade - check out my want list and make an offer!
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