2026 Playoff Rankings

Logo courtesy of SportsLogos.Net

 

What a weird season. Going into the last series of games, we didn't have a Division Champion crowned for two of the AL divisions, and a possible 3-way tie for all of the NL Wild Card teams. We didn't even know if the AL West Champion was going to have a winning record! What a mess, but the dust has finally settled and we have our 12 postseason participants. Who will I be rooting for? The first and last place teams are obvious, but what about the other teams? As I've mentioned before, there are a lot of factors that influence my ranking, but I usually start with a list of teams who have suffered the longest Championship droughts and adjust accordingly. Once again, I present my personal 2026 Playoff rankings! 

 

1. Boston Red Sox - AL Wild Card (7 year drought)

2019 Topps Heritage #1
World Series Champions (Boston Red Sox)

 

The fact that this team is even in the postseason is nothing short of miraculous. Just think, almost halfway through the season they were 32-46, a staggering 14 games below .500! Something clicked just before the All-Star break, and they became unstoppable. They get a repeat of last year's matchup in Yankee Stadium, and I hope there's enough magic in the season left to get them past the Yankees this time.

 

Prediction: (*Spoiler Alert!*) Lose to the Dodgers in the World Series

 

2. Cleveland Guardians - AL Central Champions (77 year drought)

1967 Laughlin World Series #45 1948 Braves vs Indians

 

Don't sleep on the 1-2 punch of Parker Messick and Gavin Williams. They measure up with any other playoff team's top 2 starting pitchers. The biggest obstacle is the offense, which has scored the least amount of runs out of all the playoff teams.

 

Prediction: Lose to the Red Sox in the AL Championship Series

  

3. Milwaukee Brewers - NL Central Champions (57 year drought - Never won a World Series)

2026 Topps #107 Milwaukee Brewers (TC)

 

How about those Brewers huh? Not only were they the first team to clinch their division, they also have the best record in baseball! This is one of those teams where the sum is greater than the individual players. They're going to be dangerous, especially with Jacob Misiorowski leading the way. 

 

Prediction: Lose to the Dodgers in the NL Championship Series

 

4. Chicago White Sox - AL Wild Card (20 year drought)

2005 Topps Updates & Highlights
#UH134 White Sox Sweep (WS)

Wow. Just wow. After 3 straight years of over 100 losses, including a record 121 losses just 2 years ago, the White Sox are playoff bound! That's how you do a rebuild! They'll be fun to watch.

 

Prediction: Lose to the Guardians in the AL Division Series

 

5. San Diego Padres - NL Wild Card  (57 year drought - Never won a World Series)

2026 Topps #292 San Diego Padres (TC)

 

It's often said that pitching is what carries teams in the playoffs, and the Padres have arguably one of the best bullpens in the Majors.  Starting pitching is solid but not fantastic, and their offense behind Tatis doesn't exactly scare anyone. I'd love to see this team win their first World Series, but it's going to take one incredible hot streak.

 

Prediction: Lose to the Cubs in the NL Wild Card Series 

 

6. Philadelphia Phillies - NL Wild Card (17 year drought) 

2009 Topps Heritage #391 The Champs Celebrate (WS)

If Jesus Luzardo can come back for the playoffs, a rotation of Cristopher Sanchez, Zach Wheeler and Luzardo is very strong. Harper and Schwarber are going to have to carry the offense though.

 

Prediction: Lose to the Braves in the NL Wild Card Series

7. Atlanta Braves - NL East Champions (4 year drought)

2022 Topps Heritage #210

 

The only reason they rank higher than the Cubs is because they're my dad's team. Plus, Chris Sale deserves another ring. This is a well balanced team that can go quite far if things break their way.

 

Prediction: Lose to the Dodgers in the NL Division Series

 

8. Chicago Cubs - NL Wild Card (9 year drought)

2017 Topps #206 Chicago Cubs (WS)

 

It seems like a lot of playoff teams this year have strong pitching and mid offense. The Cubs are the opposite. They have lots of offense, led by eventual MVP Pete Crow-Armstrong and the broken faced Alex Bregman. The pitching however has been ravaged by injuries and will need everything they have to keep the Cubs chances alive.

 

Prediction: Lose to the Brewers in the NL Division Series

 

9. Houston Astros - AL West Champions (3 year drought)

2023 Topps Heritage #475 '22 World Series Game 4 (WS, SP)

Last year was a nice reprieve from their run of 7 straight AL Championship Series. I'm not ready to have them start a new streak yet. Fortunately, they're not a good team.

Prediction: Lose to the White Sox in the AL Wild Card Series

 

10. Tampa Bay Rays - AL East Champions (28 year drought - never won) 

2026 Topps #408 Tampa Bay Rays (TC)

 

For years, I've compared the Rays to pesky mosquitos. They always find a way to win despite lacking a true superstar player. Now they have that superstar in Junior Caminero, and the #1 team in the AL might just be geared for a deep run.

 

Prediction: Lose to the Red Sox in the AL Division Series

 

11. Los Angeles Dodgers - NL West Champions (won last year)

2026 Topps Heritage #313World Series Highlights (WSHL, SP)

 

The Dodgers have now tied the 1991-2005 Atlanta Braves with their 14th straight playoff appearance. They've won their division in all but one of those years, and are aiming to win their third straight World Series. I have nothing against them other than your typical dynasty oversaturation. It'd be nice to see someone else win.

 

Prediction: Win their 3rd straight World Series over the Red Sox

 

12. New York Yankees - AL Wild Card  (Not a long enough drought) 

2010 Topps - History of the World Series
#HWS25 Yankees 

We've reached a new milestone in the Yankees' drought. With the 12th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, the Angels selected 17 year old Jared Grindlinger, making him the first drafted person born the same year as the Yankee's last title. They grow up so fast!

Prediction: Lose to the Red Sox in the AL Wild Card Series

To summarize my predictions: 

AL Wild Card 

Red Sox over Yankees

White Sox over Astros

 

NL Wild Card

Cubs over Padres

Braves over Phillies

ALDS 

Guardians over White Sox

Red Sox over Rays 

 

NLDS

Dodgers over Braves

Brewers over Cubs 

 

ALCS

Red Sox over Guardians

NLCS

Dodgers over Brewers

World Series

*sigh* Dodgers over Red Sox

Who do you got?

 

Trapped In Time: Remnants Of The 211th - 215th Trades

 

For the first time since I've done these remnant posts, all five featured trades have at least one card remaining. A whopping 25 cards are on the trade block, and I'm hoping a few of them will find new homes. It's last call for the following cards!

 

Trade #211 Brendan (The View From The Third Floor)

Traded 12/02/22: 1995 Topps #55 Edgar Martinez, 1991 O-Pee-Chee Premier #6 George Bell, 1982 Donruss #395 Jim Morrison, 1982 Topps #754 Joe Morgan

 

Received 11/28/22: 

• 2022 Topps #104 Nelson Cruz (See Trade #218)
• 2022 Topps #211 Christian Javier (See Trade #215)
• 2022 Topps Heritage #331 Blake Snell (See Trade #215)
• 2021 Topps #130 Josh Bell (See Trade #233)
• 2021 Topps #290 Josh Harrison (See Trade #218)
• 2021 Topps - Through The Years #TTY-12 Fernando Tatis Jr. (See Trade #222)
• 2020 Stadium Club - Bash & Burn #BAB-10 Victor Robles (See Trade #222)
• 2020 Topps Heritage - Then and Now #TN-10 Tony Oliva/Tim Anderson (See Trade #222)
• 2019 Finest #75 Nolan Arenado (See Trade #215)
  
• 2019 Finest #97 Max Scherzer (See Trade #215)
• 2019 Topps Opening Day #21 Kenley Jansen (See Trade #215)
• 2019 Topps Opening Day - 150 Years Of Fun #YOF-5 Babe Ruth (See Trade #218)
• 2019 Topps Opening Day - 150 Years Of Fun #YOF-7 Sandy Koufax (See Trade #218)
• 2019 Topps Opening Day - 150 Years Of Fun #YOF-8 Roberto Clemente (See Trade #222)
• 2019 Topps Opening Day - 150 Years Of Fun #YOF-22 Derek Jeter (See Trade #219)
  
• 2019 Donruss Optic - Pink (football) #108 Jeffery Simmons (See Trade #218)
• 2018 Topps - MLB Opening Day #OD-19 Nolan Arenado (See Trade #215)
• 2018 Score - Scoreboard (football) #4 Tom Brady (See Trade #222)
• 2017 Topps Update - Topps Salute #USS-32 Josh Reddick (See Trade #218)
• 2010 Topps (football) #20 Randy Moss (See Trade #222)
• 2000 BBM Diamond Heroes #241 Hawks Checklist
• 2000 BBM Diamond Heroes #244 Marines Checklist
• 2000 Upper Deck MVP #216 Bernie Williams (See Trade #246)
• 1997 Topps #268 Scott Rolen (See Trade #236)
• 1997 Ultra #255 Scott Rolen (See Trade #222)
• 1994 Topps - Gold #158 Shortstop Prospects (See Trade #218)
• 1994 Score (football) #119 Clyde Simmons (See Trade #218)
• 1991 Pro Line Portraits (football) #267 John Riggins (RET) (See Trade #218)
  
• 1986 Topps #40 Ken Griffey
• 1985 Topps (football) #38 Bill Bates (RC) (See Trade #225)
• 1985 Topps (football) #39 Doug Cosbie (See Trade #225)
• 1981 Donrus #157 Steve Henderson
• 1981 Donruss #397 Elliott Maddux
• 1981 Donruss #485 Lenny Randle
• 1979 Topps (football) #86 Butch Johnson (See Trade #223)
• 1979 Topps (football) #315 Preston Pearson (See Trade #223)

Brendan (The View From The Third Floor) sent a lot of cards for the 4 he had traded for. As you can see, most of them went with no issue, with just these 6 remaining. I must admit I'm surprised the two cards from Japan didn't generate any interest. 

 

Trade #212 Bo (Baseball Cards Come To Life!)

Traded 12/02/22: 2004 Fleer InScribed #56 Chase Utley, 1985 Drake's Big Hitters #22 Dave Parker, 1984 Fleer Team Action (football) #74 Super Bowl XVIII, 1983 Card Collectors 1953 Bowman Color Reprint #61 George Kell, 1980 Cramer Baseball Legends Series 1 #16 Jimmie Foxx, 1976 Topps (football) #321 Mike Boryla, 1975 Topps (football) #178 Rich McGeorge, 1975 Topps (football) #183 Jim Otis (RC), 1970 Topps (football) #119 George Byrd

 

Received 12/03/22: 

• 1974 Topps #99 Brewers Field Leaders (MGR, CO)
• 1974 Topps #125 Nate Colbert (VAR: San Diego) (See Trade #306)
  
• 1974 Topps #217 Tim Foli (See Trade #306)
  
• 1974 Topps #435 Dave Concepcion (See Trade #397)
• 1974 Topps #508 Montreal Expos (TC) (See Trade #223)
  
• 1974 Topps #520 Tim McCarver (See Trade #230)
  
• 1974 Topps #522 J.R. Richard (See Trade #397)
• 1974 Topps #634 Braves Field Leaders (MGR, CO) (See Trade #215)
  
• 1974 Topps #646 George Foster (See Trade #397)
• 1969 Topps #173 White Sox 1969 Rookie Stars (RC, RS) (See Trade #262)

 

 

A lone manager card is all that remains from this trade with Bo (Baseball Cards Come To Life!). It's cool that the coaches get some recognition too in this set. Now that teams have between 10-13 coaches, it's be hard to do today.

 

Trade #213 Greg (Night Owl Cards)

Traded 12/02/22: 1990 Fleer - All-Star Team #1 Harold Baines, 1985 Topps - Glossy All-Stars #18 Chet Lemon, 1976 Topps (football) #411 Ron Pritchard, 1975 Topps #378 Derrel Thomas

 

Received 12/19/22:

• 1988 Topps Traded #9T Bret Barberie (OLY, XRC)
• 1981 Topps #598 George Vuckovich (RC)
• 1970 Topps #430 Andy Messersmith (See Trade #375)
• 1969 Topps #187 Leon Wagner (See Trade #262)

 

Greg (Night Owl Cards) batted .500 with this trade. I enjoyed seeing the Team USA cards growing up, and it was fun to see which players eventually made it to the big leagues.

 

Trade #214 JF (TCDB)

Traded 12/16/22: 1995-96 Kraft Peanut Butter Discs (hockey) #NNO Ed Belfour, 1993 Leaf #268 Delino DeShields, 1993 Leaf #280 Rob Dibble, 1993 Leaf #283 Cecil Fielder, 1993 Leaf #406 Tino Martinez, 1993 Leaf #416 Walt Weiss, 1993 Leaf #418 Chris Sabo, 1993 Stadium Club Toys "R" Us #36 Gerald Williams, 1992 Score #162 Omar Vizquel, 1991 Topps Archives 1953 #284 Bob Lemon, 1991 Topps Toys"R"Us Rookies #30 Robin Ventura, 1989 Topps Big #102 Roberto Alomar, 1988-89 Frito-Lay Stickers (hockey) #NNO Cam Neely, 1985 O-Pee-Chee #4 Jim Wohlford, 1972 Topps #11 Bobby Valentine

 

Received 12/22/22:

• 2017-18 Upper Deck (hockey) #298 Matt Nieto (See Trade #225)
• 2016-17 Upper Deck (hockey) #12 Mike Smith (See Trade #225)
• 1988 Donruss #384a Denny Walling
• 1988 Donruss #441a Greg Gagne
• 1988 Donruss #459a Jim Dwyer
• 1988 Donruss - Stan Musial Puzzle #25-27 Stan Musial (PUZ)
• 1988 Donruss - Stan Musial Puzzle #34-36 Stan Musial (PUZ) (See Trade #399)
• 1988 Score #546 Todd Benzinger (RC) (See Trade #397)
• 1987 Burger King All-Pro #1 Wade Boggs (See Trade #226)
• 1987 Donruss #655 Luis Aquino (RC)
• 1987 Topps #332 Joe Price (See Trade #276)
• 1987 Topps #619 Jerry Reed
• 1986 Topps Traded #7T Steve Bedrosian
• 1986 Topps Traded #68T Mickey Mahler
• 1986 Topps Traded #109T Tim Teufel (See Trade #236)
• 1984-85 O-Pee-Chee (hockey) #343 Andrew McBain (RC) (See Trade #225)
• 1967-68 Topps (hockey) #30 Reg Fleming (See Trade #225)

 

There's just something about 80's cards I guess. I'm not surprised the 1987 and 1988 cards didn't generate interest. I would have thought the 1986 traded singles might have at least gotten a nibble.

 

Trade #215 Jeff (Wax Pack Wonders)

Traded 12/28/22:  2022 Topps #211 Christian Javier, 2022 Topps Heritage #331 Blake Snell, 2019 Finest #75 Nolan Arenado, 2019 Finest #97 Max Scherzer, 2019 Topps Opening Day #21 Kenley Jansen, 2018 Topps - MLB Opening Day #OD-19 Nolan Arenado, 1974 Topps #634 Braves Field Leaders (MGR, CO), 1969 Topps #516 Earl Weaver (MGR), 1967 Topps #60 Luis Aparicio, 1966 Topps #76 Red Schoendienst (MGR)

 

Received: 12/23/22:

• 1988 Card Collectors T-206 Reprint #NNO Matty McIntyre
• 1983 Galasso T-206 Reprint #NNO Carl Lundgren (VAR: American Beauty back)
• 1977 Dover Publications Classic Baseball Cards Reprints #10 Lefty O'Doul
• 1977 Dover Publications Classic Baseball Cards Reprints #18 Jimmie Dykes
• 1977 Dover Publications Classic Baseball Cards Reprints #99 Hal Chase
• 1977 Dover Publications Classic Baseball Cards Reprints #NNO Melvin Harder
• 1977 Dover Publications Classic Baseball Cards Reprints #NNO Fred Merkle
• 1968 Topps #159 Don Kessinger (See Trade #298)
  
• 1962 Topps #68 Ken Hunt (See Trade #377)
• 1961 Post Cereal #78 Hal Brown (See Trade #226)
• 1960 Topps #367 Bill Tuttle
• 1959 Topps #263 Buddy Daley (VAR: white back) (See Trade #282)

Finally some cards from Jeff (Wax Pack Wonders). I know there hasn't been any shortage of reprints in the hobby, but these are some pretty sharp looking cards and I thought these would appeal to someone. I particularly like the O'Doul and Dykes cards.

 

 

An older card - that's all it takes to save these from the purgatory of my personal collection. Last chance to acquire some great cards!

 

6 Degrees Of Raffy: The Joe Cronin Connection

It's time for another installment of 6 Degrees Of Raffy, where I connect a beloved card from my collection and connect the player depicted on it to current Red Sox All-Star and Gold Glover Ceddanne Rafaela!

 

I asked, and you voted! When the TCDB randomly selected a player that last played over 80 years ago (but the card was much more recent) I put it up to a vote as to which direction I should go: I could focus on completing the chain in as few steps as possible by using a player from the set Joe Cronin didn't play with, or I could take a longer route that would likely exceed 6 degrees and use the only other player in the 2015 Panini Diamond Kings set that Cronin played with, Ted Williams. You overwhelmingly voted for Williams - it's the journey not the destination, right? As for Williams the player vs. Williams the manager, the vote was evenly split. Turns out it would have taken the same amount of steps either way, so I went with Williams sans his managerial cards. I hope you all enjoy it!

 

We start with the randomly generated card from my collection:

Random TCDB Card: 

2015 Panini Diamond Kings #71 Joe Cronin

Joe Cronin was a player/manager for the Red Sox and became the first former player to be named President of the American League. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1956.

Teammates in the 2015 Panini Diamond Kings set
#71 Joe Cronin	#129 Ted Williams

The only other Red Sox player in the 2015 Panini Diamond Kings set that played around the same time as Cronin was Ted Williams. In addition to being Ted's manager when he first started, Cronin was also his teammate from 1939-1942. (Williams would spend the next 3 years fighting in WWII, but when he came back Cronin was still there managing, which he did until 1947.)

Teammates in the 1960 Jay Publishing Boston Red Sox Picture Pack Set B set
#NNO Ted Williams	#NNO Gary Geiger

Ted Williams played until 1960. What made the next link difficult was that Williams had signed an exclusive deal with Fleer towards the end of his career, which is why he has no Topps base cards from 1959-1961. Fleer didn't have contracts with other players, so all they could really do was produce a Ted Williams career set in 1959. I was able to find this 5x7 team set, which may be a bit of a cheat since they're not really cards per se, but if it's good enough to be listed on the TCDB, it's good enough for me.

Teammates in the 1969 Topps set
#278 Gary Geiger	#35 Joe Morgan

 

Geiger's Wikipedia page is pretty interesting. He got hurt a lot in his career, including a collapsed lung and a bleeding ulcer. He even apparently had false teeth. Still he played long enough to connect us to another Hall of Famer.

Teammates in the 1985 Topps set
#352 Joe Morgan	#706 Rickey Henderson (AS, LL)

 

Morgan spent 22 years in the Majors, last playing in 1984. he got this sunset card from Topps the following year. Fortunately for me, that final stint in Oakland allowed me to use another all-time great early in his career.

Teammates in the 2003 Donruss Studio set
#17 Rickey Henderson	#14 Manny Ramirez

 

Rickey is great for playing 6 degrees with. He's had a 25-year career with 9 different teams. According to ESPN, he played with 671 other ball players. One of which was Manny Ramirez. (Aside: How did I not know about these fantastic 2003 Donruss Studio cards before researching this post? That Fenway backdrop is great!)

 

Teammates in the 2011 Bowman set
#90 Manny Ramirez	#106 David Price

 

Speaking of great cards, Manny got one last great card for someone who only played 5 games as a Ray. Why are you hiding Manny?

 

I should note that Manny's 2011 Topps card has him listed with the White Sox. Also in that group of White Sox was the rookie card of pitcher Chris Sale. If I had used that connection, I could have completed this in one fewer step, as Sale and Rafaela were teammates in 2023. Technically Sale and Manny were never teammates, so instead I used the Rays to connect to another member of the Red Sox highly regarded 2018 rotation.

Teammates in the 2019 Topps set
#314 David Price (WSHL)	#228 Rafael Devers

 

What made that 2018 rotation so highly regarded? Just a World Series Championship! Price in particular was amazing that postseason, and arguably should have been the World Series MVP over Steve Pearce. Dever got a ring that year too!

Teammates in the 2025 Bowman set
#10 Rafael Devers	#53 Ceddanne Rafaela

 

It seems fitting that I officially pass the torch from one Raffy to the other to finish up this chain.

Degrees of Raffy: 8

Even though I said I wasn't going to do every voting choice for this series, I did have to work out each one since I didn't know what the final vote would be. I'll still share the chains with you though. 

If connecting with a modern player had won, this would have been the chain: 

1. Joe Cronin --> 2015 Panini Diamond Kings --> Dustin Pedroia
2. Dustin Pedroia --> 2025 Donruss -->  Marcelo Mayer 
3. Marcelo Mayer --> 2026 Topps Heritage --> Ceddanne Rafaela  

If connecting with Ted Williams (managing cards allowed) had won, this would have been the chain: 

1. Joe Cronin --> 2015 Panini Diamond Kings --> Ted Williams
2. Ted Williams --> 1972 Topps --> Jeff Burroughs
3. Jeff Burroughs --> 1986 Topps --> Dennis Lamp
4. Dennis Lamp -->  1992 Topps --> Ellis Burks
5. Ellis Burks --> 2004 Topps Total --> Tim Wakefield
6. Tim Wakefield --> 2011 Topps --> Dustin Pedroia
7. Dustin Pedroia -->  2020 Topps --> Rafael Devers
8. Rafael Devers --> 2024 Stadium Club --> Ceddanne Rafaela

Trapped In Time: Remnants Of The 206th - 210th Trades

 

Sometimes cards just don't get traded. It's time to take some cards that have languished in the Time Travel Trading stack for over 3 years and put them to rest. There's only 5 on the chopping block today - a couple of junk wax era, some vintage, and a really old Bowman card! They will join the personal collection unless traded for!

 

Trade #206 Bo (Baseball Cards Come To Life!)

Traded 10/24/22: 1995 Upper Deck - Special Edition (football) #SE20 Alvin Harper, 1993 Score - Dream Team (football) #2 Emmitt Smith, 1993 Score - Dream Team (football) #Barry Foster, 1993 Score - Dream Team (football) #21 Chuck Cecil, 1993 Score - Dream Team (football) #22 Steve Atwater, 1993 Score - Dream Team (football) #23 Bryan Cox, 1993 Score - Dream Team (football) #24 Derrick Thomas, 1993 Score - Dream Team (football) #26 Sam Mills

 

Received 10/31/22:

• 1992 Donruss - Bonus Cards #BC6 Jeff Bagwell (ROY, VAR: no dot after INC)
• 1992 Leaf - Gold Rookies #BC-10 David Nied (See Trade #272)
• 1992 Pinnacle - Team 2000 #42 Jim Abbott (See Trade #233)
• 1992 Pinnacle - Team 2000 #48 Roberto Alomar (See Trade #233)
• 1992 Pinnacle - Team 2000 #59 Gary Sheffield (See Trade #233)
• 1990 Fleer - All-Star Team #1 Harold Baines (See Trade #213)
• 1969 Globe Imports Playing Cards Gas Station Issue #8Hearts Jim Wynn (See Trade #288)

A lone card from Bo (Baseball Cards Come To Life!) in this trade, and I'm a little surprised it's still here. Insert cards of Hall of Fame players should do well, even if they're from the overproduction era.

 

Trade #207 Mark Z. (TCDB)

Traded 10/28/22: 1981 Donruss #427 Leon Durham (RC), 1978-79 O-Pee-Chee (hockey) #48 Dennis Hextall, 1978-79 O-Pee-Chee (hockey) #92 Ron Ellis, 1978-79 Topps (basketball) #62 Anthony Roberts, 1978-79 Topps (basketball) #66 Lonnie Shelton, 1978-79 Topps (basketball) #76 Brian Winters, 1978-79 Topps (basketball) #93 Ricky Sobers, 1966 Topps #104b Alex Johnson

 

Received 11/05/22:

• 1993 Redstone Dinosaurs Mesozoic Era (non-sport) #22 Telmatosaurus (See Trade #222)
• 1993 Redstone Dinosaurs Mesozoic Era (non-sport) #23 Chirostenotes (See Trade #222)
• 1988 Topps UK Minis #29 Tony Gwynn (See Trade #208)
  
• 1978 Topps #435 Checklist: 364-484 (CL) (See Trade #217)
  
• 1976 Topps (football) #321 Mike Boryla (See Trade #212)
• 1976 Topps (football) #411 Ron Pritchard (See Trade #213)
  
• 1975 Topps (football) #178 Rich McGeorge (See Trade #212)
• 1975 Topps (football) #183 Jim Otis (RC) (See Trade #212)
• 1974 Topps #322 Ernie McAnally
• 1974 Topps #345 Bill North
• 1965 Topps #197 Diego Segui (Retired and sent as prize 12/02/22)

 

A couple of 1974 Topps cards are all that remain from this trade with TCDB member extraordinaire Mark Z.! To think neither of these two cities have a baseball team anymore...

Trade #208 - No Remnants!

 

Trade #209 - No Remnants!

Trade #210 Ken (TCDB)

Traded 12/02/22: 1962 Topps #128 Art Fowler, 1960 Topps #149 Bob Nieman, 1957 Topps #366 Ken Lehman, 1954 Topps #106 Dick Kokos, 1954 Topps #124 Marion Fricano, 1954 Topps #222 Bill Wilson (RC), 1954 Topps #238 Al Aber, 1953 Topps #213 Ray Scarborough

 

Received 11/28/22:

• 1989 Fleer #299 Roberto Alomar (See Trade #267)
• 1989 Topps #206 Roberto Alomar (See Trade #267)
• 1989 Topps #360 Ryne Sandberg (See Trade #257)
• 1989 Topps #437 Andy Benes (FRDP, RC) (See Trade #267)
• 1989 Topps #573 Jim Abbott (FRDP, RC) (See Trade #267)
• 1989 Topps #628 Matt Williams (See Trade #412)
• 1989 Topps #764 Robin Ventura (FRDP, RC)
• 1961 Topps #8 Dick Williams (See Trade #222)
• 1959 Topps #75 Sam Jones (See Trade #218)
• 1955 Bowman #145 Bob Nieman (RC) (See Trade #302)
  
• 1951 Bowman #147 Ken Heintzelman (See Trade #282)
• 1948 Bowman #10 Buddy Rosar (RC) (See Trade #282)
• 1948 Bowman #15 Eddie Joost (See Trade #299)
  
• 1948 Bowman #15 Eddie Joost
• 1948 Bowman (football) #28 Paul Governali (RC) (See Trade #416)

 

 

Finally, another TCDB trade with a gent named  Ken, who in addition to a bunch of 1989 cards sen in some amazing vintage. One of each remain, with the 1948 Bowman being particularly noteworthy.

 

These cards are close to entering my collection. The only thing stopping me is a last minute stay of execution (i.e. a trade for an older card)! It's up to you! 

 

TCDB Trade Recap: Cards From Minneapolis, MN

Time to catch up on some little trades. A recent one came from Tim via the TCDB. What made this particular transaction stand out was the envelope itself:

 

I recognize these as the stickers from Fleer's 1988 set. I'm not sure if there was a particular reason for choosing Expos or if he was just randomly decorating the envelope. Still, it was amusing to see!

 

As for the contents within, the Montreal theme continued with some bonus cards:

 

I didn't set out to trade for Expos though. This trade was made with the intent to whittle down some cards for a particular set build:

 

I'm in the home stretch! Only 6 more cards until the 1977 set is complete! If time permits, I'll try to scroll through the TCDB and try and trade for them. Then again, with just a half dozen to go, I may just buy the final ones and be done with it! 

 

Thanks for the trade Tim! 

Trapped In Time: Remnants Of The 201st - 205th Trades

I started doing these "Remnant" posts over 4 years ago, mainly because I felt the Time Travel Trading stack was getting too big, and it was a good time to clear out some of the stagnant cards that no one seemed to want. We're through the first 200 trades now, and well over 200 cards have been cleared out. The size of the stack however, has more than doubled since that first post. I've accepted that fate, it's the cost of doing business with a generous community that routinely gives more than it receives. Still, I press on, as there are many many cards who have been hanging around unclaimed for over 3 years...

 

Trade #201 John (Adventures Of A Baseball Card Collector)

Traded 10/19/22: 1959 Topps #9 Paul Giel, 1959 Topps #251 Clete Boyer, 1960 Topps #548 Don Mincher (RC), 1984 O-Pee-Chee #16 Omar Moreno, 1985 O-Pee-Chee #21 Dave Concepcion, 1989 ProCards Triple A #544 Jay Buhner, 2000 Topps #228 Mariano Rivera (WS), 2008 Topps New York Yankees #8 Jason Giambi, 2015 Stadium Club #15 Adrian Beltre

 

Received 10/24/22:

• 2004 Fleer InScribed #56 Chase Utley (See Trade #212)
• 1991 O-Pee-Chee Premier #6 George Bell (See Trade #211)
• 1983 Card Collectors 1953 Bowman Color Reprint #61 George Kell (See Trade #212)
• 1982 Dover Publications Reprints National League #15 Robin Roberts (See Trade #342)
• 1980 Cramer Baseball Legends Series 1 #16 Jimmie Foxx (See Trade #212)
• 1975 Topps #597 Winston Llenas
• 1959 Topps #385 Sherm Lollar (See Trade #377)
• 1957 Topps #211 Camilo Pascual (See Trade #252)
• 1939 Wills's Garden Flowers by Richard Sudell #46 Sweet Sultan

We start things off with a pair from John (Adventures Of A Baseball Card Collector), including a beautiful card from 1939! I mean, look at it next to the 1975 card - I don't know what ink they used back then, but it's impressive! As I usually do with pre-WWII era cards, in the very likely event no one comes forth offering an older card in return, the Sweet Sultan will remain in the stack as a reminder how cool it really is that we can still enjoy things from so long ago.

 

Trade #202 - No Remnants!

 

Trade #203 Brendan Hart (The View From The Third Floor)

Traded 10/24/22: 1977 Topps #231 George Brett (RB), 1981 Topps (football) #487 Rod Martin (RC), 1981 Topps (football) #520 Fred Dean (AP), 1982 Topps (football) #44 Cris Collinsworth (RC), 1982 Topps (football) #171 Joe Klecko (AP)

 

Received 10/24/22:

• 1981 Donruss #124 Jerry Mumphrey
• 1981 Donruss #147 Danny Darwin (See Trade #313)
• 1981 Donruss #170 Fred Patek
• 1981 Donruss #386 Doc Medich
• 1981 Donruss #419 Derrel Thomas
• 1981 Donruss #428 Terry Kennedy
• 1981 Donruss #439 Jorge Orta
• 1981 Donruss #450 Scott Sanderson
• 1981 Donruss #474 Sammy Stewart
• 1981 Donruss #478 Steven McCatty (See Trade #313)
• 1979 Topps #177 Ron Reed
• 1979 Topps #271 Rawly Eastwick
• 1979 Topps #336 Bobby Thompson (RC)
• 1979 Topps #653 Warren Brusstar
• 1968 Topps #112 Woody Fryman (See Trade #341)
  

 

You know how I mentioned generous collectors you send more than they receive? That's Brendan Hart (The View From The Third Floor) to a "T" - He always adds a few extra cards to the stack. I'm pretty sure at least a quarter of the cards currently available in the Time Travel Trading project have come from him. Maybe if I'm really bored some day I'll do the math, but for now let's see if anyone will rescue these poor cards from 1981 Donruss and 1979 Topps.

 

Trade #204  - No Remnants!

 

Trade #205 Alan (TCDB)

Traded 10/28/22: 1993 Post Cereal #18 Darren Daulton, 1993 Post Cereal #29 John Kruk, 1988 Topps (football) #233 Eagles Team Leaders - Randall Cunningham (TL), 1976 Topps #101 Pete LaCock, 1976 Topps #255 Fritz Peterson, 1976 Topps - Traded #28T Dusty Baker, 1976 Topps - Traded #58T Ron Reed, 1976 Topps - Traded #380T Bobby Bonds, 1976 Topps - Traded #528T Dock Ellis, 1976 Topps (football) #481 John Bunting (RC), 1958 Topps #36 Ted Kazanski

 

Received 10/29/22:

• 1980 Topps Baseball #477 Buck Martinez (See Trade #329)
  
• 1980 Topps Baseball #711 Bob Galasso (RC) (See Trade #329)
• 1978 Topps Baseball #428 Joel Youngblood
• 1975 Topps Baseball #69 John Odom (See Trade #254)
• 1975 Topps Baseball #95 John Mayberry (See Trade #254)
• 1975 Topps Baseball #121 Bill North (See Trade #254)
• 1975 Topps Baseball #169 Cookie Rojas (See Trade #254)
• 1975 Topps Baseball #184 Jorge Orta (See Trade #254)
• 1975 Topps Baseball #227 Bob Watson
• 1975 Topps Baseball #262 Rowland Office (RC) (See Trade #254)
• 1956 Topps Baseball #89 Norm Zauchin (VAR: Grey back) (See Trade #216)

Finally, a couple of cards from a leftover TCDB trade. "Youngblood and Watson" sounds like a 70's cop show, doesn't it? 

 

These card will be retired if no one wants them. It's up to you now to give them happy new homes!