TCDB Trade Recap: Cards From Landenberg, Pennsylvania

With 34 Red Sox cards in this year's Heritage set, it's obvious I'm going to need some assistance if I want to complete a team set. Fellow TCDB member Pat ("Itsjustoldcardboard") got me halfway there with a recent trade. I sent over a stack of cards from last year's Heritage set, and in return I got hooked up with all this:

Player Cards

The hedges are officially what I think of when I think of Red Sox and Heritage.

League Leaders

Given how much time Sale missed last year, it's impressive he still made Top 3 in strikeouts!

Playoffs

Love the black and white playoff cards! The Benintendi gives me an excuse to relieve this incredible moment:

Thanks again for the trade, Pat!

Adventure At Spring Traing - Game #4: Red Sox at Orioles

Wednesday, March 20

For the last game of the trip, we went back to Sarasota to watch the Orioles take on the defending World Champions. The Red Sox kept the bigger names at home, but the starting lineup was packed with regular season starters.

Starting lineups

I obviously watched the pre game routine along the Red Sox side, and was surprised to see former Captain Jason Varitek in the field shagging balls.

That's Tek on the right

He didn't stop and sign unfortunately, and most of the team was focused on warm ups. I at least managed to get one autograph, from AAA outfielder depth Bryce Brentz.  I'll take it!

The game was a typical Red Sox game. They fell behind early, but came back to win in the late innings. Actually, this wasn't so much a Red Sox comeback as it was a complete and hilarious Orioles meltdown. The O's were up 4-2 in the 8th. After a quick groundout, the Red Sox loaded the bases on a double, a passed ball, and two walks. I'll let the MLB app show you the rest:

Yikes! 2 passed balls, a wild pitch, and a throwing error by the catcher! Not good! Still I'll take a Red Sox win any way I can!

Red Sox shagging flies

Rafael Fevers takes BP

Eduardo Nunez
and Brock Holt

Bullpen shot

Two funny stories to share as I wrap this up:

1. As I was trying to catch an autograph, I struck up a conversation with an Orioles fan next to me. Turned out we were both born in Dunkirk, NY! What are the odds of that?

2. Boog Powell totally lied to me. We had heard he was at the stadium near his BBQ restaurant in the outfield concourse, so we tried to get an autograph. We spotted him in line getting a beer, and politely asked if we could get his signature. He flat out told us he wasn't Boog, and that Boog was in the kitchen. The look on the beer servers' faces told us all we need to know. We did pass by the kitchen and saw a guy who turned out to be Boog's son! I can't be mad at the guy for blowing me off, the story is at least worthwhile! 😂

It was a great week! I even picked up some baseball cards, but that will be another post!

I had to take this selfie!

Adventures in Spring Training Game #3: Tigers at Pirates

Tuesday, March 19, 2019

On Tuesday, it was raining over most of Florida. Lots of games got cancelled, but we took a chance and managed to score ticleats to the game in Bradenton. Because of the weather, we didn't get to Lecom Park in time to try for autographs. We did get great seats right by 3rd base.

Starting lineups

The Pirates won 3-1. I got to see two incredible plays:

In the first, the Tigers loaded the bases with just one out, but the Pirates pulled off an amazing double play:

I managed to get a pic just as the tag was applied:

Then in the 5th, I had a great view of Starling Matte as he stole 3rd base, then scored on an bad throw by the Tigers catcher. It was an exciting game!

Tigers warmups

Tigers lined up for the anthem

Meeting at the mound

Candelario stuck between 2nd
 and 3rd during that double play

Sterling Marte

Adventures At Spring Training - Game 2 Yankees at Orioles

 
Sunday, March 17

Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota is a great place to see a game. It's a very nice ballpark, and the staff is some of the friendliest you will meet.

Starting Lineups

No big guns on the Yankees roster, which was expected. I promised my daughter I'd try and get her some Orioles autographs, so I watched the Yankees batting practice from the first base side. I almost caught a batted ball, but it got my fingertips instead. It stung for a bit but no real damage. I got a few autographs but nobody big.

Yankees Batting Practice

View From The Standing
Room Only Area

Chris Davis

Bobble Head Bird

Random Yankee in Bullpen

The game was decent and I got to see a few home runs, including one by Miguel Andujar. The Yankees of course won.

Repack Haiku #94 (Mike Jackson)

Exclusive member

One of only sixteen guys

One thousand games pitched 

1988 Fleer Update #U-60 Mike Jackson

Adventures At Spring Training - Game 1: Astros at Phillies

Saturday, March 16

We bought these tickets well before Bryce Harper signed with the Phillies. However, it wasn't meant to be as Harper got hit in the foot the day before and would not play this game.

Starting Line-ups

It was my first time at Spectrum Stadium, and the park was nice. This fountain of Steve Carlton was at the entrance.

Steve Carlton fountain

Since we knew Harper was hurt, we figured out best chance at autographs was on the Astros' side. I ended up with one autograph, from top pitching prospect Josh James.

The game itself was a good one too. J.T. Really do hit a home run, but the Astros blew it open in the 5th by scoring 8 straight runs before getting their first out.

I managed to get some decent picks:

That's Carlos Cortes in the bright shoes

Phillies Phanatic launches hot dogs

Batting practice

Michael Brantley

Phillies Phanatic

TCDB Trade Recap: Cards From Eugene, Oregon

By the time this post publishes, I'll have been on the road for 4 hours as I make my annual pilgrimage to Florida to catch a few Spring Training games. Just like last year, I'm hoping to recap each game and show off any potential autographs I can get. It all depends on how much time I have for blogging and how well my phone or tablet cooperates with me. Stayed tuned!

********************

I completed my first trade of 2019 last month thanks to a new TCDB member named David. He saw some inserts from this year's base set I had made available, and in return sent 4 Red Sox inserts I needed:

The Benintendi is probably my favorite. Although his face isn't showing, we do get an interesting angle as he leaps for the ball. The Fenway Park scoreboard makes the perfect backdrop. You also can't go wrong with 2 (eventually 3) Hall of Famers too!

Thanks again, David!