Hand collating sets with the help of hand collated

Hand Collated could easily have been the title of my blog.  I have never, nor likely will I ever, buy a complete set of cards.  It's just no damn fun that way.  The thrill of the hunt is the greatest aspect of putting sets together.

It doesn't even have to be a mainstream "set", such as 2012 Topps or 2008 Upper Deck.  It could be a made up set, like all the players that ever played for your favorite team whose last name starts with the same letter as your last name (mine would be Blue Jays that start with the letter "M", for example). 

For those of you who are set collectors, you know what I'm talking about.  The joy of finally completing a set that's taken you forever to finish, and when you finally find that last elusive piece of cardboard you shout "f--- yeah!!" (oh wait, that's just me...)

I had the good fortune of trading recently with another dedicated set collector, Scott from the Hand Collated blog.  Scott's post regarding our trade pointed out the fact that he's seen a few people who have completed 2012 Topps series 1, while he's still in need of cards from the '07 Topps set. By the way, the last 2 cards I need for '12 Topps series 1 are on their way (thank you Nick...), and the speed at which I've completed that set will be a post in the next few days.

Anyhow, Scott sent me some '12 Topps series 1 ( I won't bore you with those), however, I will show you some of the '08 Upper Deck he sent me.  4 years later, I still love the photos in this set, and I found a few in the cards he sent that I also like.

1st, we have Nomar Garciaparra near the end of his career with all eyes on the ball...

Royals fans will have to help me with the next one.  When did the Royals wear orange numbers on their jerseys??

John Buck has always had great art on his catchers masks, and the Royals mask he wore is no exception:

Somebody has to tell Chad Bradford that there must be a way to pitch that is easier on his back!!

Finally, it never gets old watching Jim Edmonds make another great catch.....

Scott, thank you for the trade, it is much appreciated!!  I look forward to our next trade.

Thanks for reading, Robert