Insanity to the Max

I am spoiled, there's no denying it.  I'm on the 37th week of writing for the blog, and each week seems to bring more surprises my way.  When my wife sees those brown envelopes in the mailbox, she revels in calling me the "big fat brat". 

Every package has been filled with cardboard goodness, whether it be 1 card, or in some cases, hundreds of cards.  Each of them from a variety of sources, but mostly from bloggers, or blog readers such as yourself.

But when you have other people hunting for cards for you, well that's a feeling that you just can't describe.  The stories contained in some of the envelopes are just as good, if not better than the cards themselves.

Case in point.  Max from the Starting Nine blog sent me an envelope last week, naturally filled with Blue Jays goodness.  OK OK, I'll only show you a handful...just because

Top center:  2003 Topps Jays team card.  No matter what anyone else says, I love that Jays logo...

Bottom left:  Dustin McGowan from Topps '52 set released in 2006.  Still love these cards, might be a set to collect down the road sometime.

Bottom center:  Jesse Barfield '88 OPC.  Always great to get another OPC card in the collection, and every time I see Jesse I am reminded of the time he gunned out a runner at 3rd base with a strike from the right field corner in the old Exhibition Stadium.  The throw was on a rope, no bounce...still the most amazing throw I've ever seen.

Bottom right:  Lee Gronkiewicz '07 Topps.  No other reason than I like saying Gronkiewicz.


I don't know if you are aware of this or not, but Max has an affinity for the dime boxes.  That's where he seems to find the best stuff for me.  This time was no exception.  Oh, by the way did I mention that sent me an email after I received the first package from him that he had forgotten the serial #'d cards, and sent them right away in a 2nd bubble mailer?  Now that's dedication...

There were 7 cards in the envelope, I'm going to show you 3...

First, one of the best nicknames in baseball today....the "Hammer"  Joel Hanrahan

I found it hard to believe that this guy was a starter in his first year in the bigs.  Joel has such a closers mentality, and the heat to back it up.  I hope for the Pirates sake they lock him up for a while, because the fans love him in Pittsburgh.

Next, Castro's biggest fan!!

MLB may not like what he said about Castro, but you know what, I defend his right to say what he said.  Ozzie is a helluva spokesman, and one of the most colorful personalities the game has right now.  I think he and Miami are a great fit together, and here's hoping that he has long term success down there.

Finally, this next card was found in a dime box...which makes me both happy and sad.

Yep, that's a 1980 Topps RC, Dave Stieb sans mustache.  Yes, off center, but I don't care, otherwise the card is in great shape and finds a welcome home here.

If you're not reading Max's blog yet, you need to start.  For a guy that was worried he wouldn't have enough to say when he was starting out, he's got a helluva read going so far, and a unique concept to boot.

Max, thank you very much for the cards, as always they are greatly appreciated!!

Thanks for reading, Robert