Working on #10

As I mentioned yesterday, the final set of the first 10 I'm completing in 2020 is 1974 Topps.  With the latest postal slowdown, I might take my time on this one, as the post office is "playing games" with the packages that are heading my way. 

I have received 3 cards from the set over the past 10 days however, and the speed in which the want list is dwindling is just fine for me right now.

Jack Aker came to me via a trade with new trade partner Pete (TCDB ID: AirPete).  This was one of the larger trades I've done in quite a while, requiring me to spend some time in a post office line, which is always entertaining.  Why you may ask, because I get to see a good amount of people who know nothing about the postal system and the services they provide.   Entertaining because it's fun to watch people in frustration wait in line for 15-20 minutes, time that is much better spent elsewhere.

Maybe if the USPS would keep their automated kiosks running well on a regular basis, lines would be much shorter...

I sent James (TCDB ID: jlcre2003) a bunch of 2015 Topps Heritage to help in his set completion quest and this was the '74 T I received in return, a Billy Grabarkewitz card featuring him in a Phillies uniform.  I really hadn't heard of Billy before, so I looked up his career stats, and outside of the 1970 season where he hit .289 with 17HR, he didn't have much of a career stat wise to mention. 

Last up is the Strikeout leaders card featuring Nolan Ryan and Tom Seaver.  Not a bad price for this on eBay, $7 with free shipping, something I always take advantage of when ordering from the Battersbox.  #2 on the strikeout list for the AL, Bert Blyleven, had 7 more K's than Seaver, but finished a distant 2nd (125 less) to Ryan's 383 strikeout total. 

I'm still kind of mulling whether I want to tone down my online card spending for the next few weeks until I see what goes on with the USPS slowdown.  It's already been frustrating to have 3 packages in the past 2 weeks get to the Opa Locka sorting center, which is just over 25 miles from my house, take 2 days to get a package from there to my post office, which is less than a mile from my house.  Yes, it's a bit of a rant, but it really is frustrating.  Kind of shows a lot of what's prevalent in today's world, businesses putting customer service behind the almighty dollar.

Enjoy the hobby!!

Robert