Happy 100th Post! A Personal Thanks!

Well Friends,

It's Sunday morning... I've been relaxing since I woke up around 7:30 am to the sweet sounds of my 3 month old daughter talking out loud to herself over the baby monitor stationed next to me on my night stand.

I've been taking it easy... made the wife and I some breakfast burritos with left over Qdoba food from my fantasy football draft yesterday... sipped on some coffee and let my daughter take a 45 minute nap on my chest.  Then I grabbed my lappy and started reading up on some blogs, leaving a few comments here and there, and thought... it's a good time to post something.

Then I realized...

This will be my 100th post on this blog!!!

You guys have been with me for the last year and change and have seen me grow (and shrink) my collection.  Most of my trades have surely favored the other party, but most of you thought it was worth it (with the exception of one or two trades)... but I've had no regrets!  Through this blog I've met (not in person of course) many a collector and I now enjoy this hobby even more knowing I'm not alone out there.

Before this blog I couldn't share my excitement of a big pull with friends or family and get the reaction that you want and desire...

When I pulled my Mickey Mantle Jersey Card (still a "Lost Card") from an update box of 2000 Fleer Tradition (1 out of 80 box odds) I couldn't believe my luck... but to everyone else it was more like "ohh... that's nice Nick"

That was before this blog.

Recently I pulled a Yoenis Cespedes mini wood card 5/5 and the reaction I got from many of you was over the top... My good friend Kirk over at Eutaw Street Cardboard simply said "dude, you pull the sickest stuff"... and it felt great because I knew he got it. 

Point being, you guys give me a certain level of fulfillment in terms of appreciation for being a collector. And I am grateful!

One of the best things I was able to document was the evolution of my Man Cave.  It's pretty much complete and I only say that because of course I will always want to update things here and there, but it's a comfortable space and displays everything beautifully.  You were there for the whole damn project and the feedback on the final product was like ice cream cake after dinner.  Thank you for that!

The best thing about the blog of course has been the trading.  Helping other collectors has been as rewarding (if not more) as other collectors helping me.  I've traded with many of you across the country... California, Arizona, Florida, and even in my backyard in Maryland.  Sharing my passion with those who appreciate it has been so rewarding.

Again, Thank you.

The post wouldn't be complete with out some recent highlights...

I've been on a new product freeze but did recently buy a single pack of A&G from Target just to get a small taste and was lucky enough to pull a relic card! Cody Ross bat card... 2010 NLCS MVP! 

I was also able to gain another Lineage Relic from fellow blog buff Brad Rauer who hooked me up with Edinson Volquez.  And he asked for nothing in return!  A prime example of a selfless collector.  I'm so proud to be a part of your community and would undoubtedly offer the same help to those who were seeking it. Again... Thank you!



So on my 100th post I'd like to wish all my fellow collectors a happy Sunday.  Hope you're relaxing and taking it easy.  I may not post as much as I have in the past, but I will continue to read and share when anything new or exciting happens.

Again....

Thank you for reading and just plain...

THANK YOU

Look who's back in the mutha fuggin house!

Friends! It hath been too damn long.

Alas, I've been busy being a father... or should I say Daddy seein how I've gotts me a little girl.

She is by far the greatest achievement of my life... but enough of this!

You clearly came to read this because you're just dying to know what ol'Woogie has been up to.

or

You're just plain dying and you've got nothing better to read and you think this might just put the final nail in the coffin.

Either way... I'm happy to oblige!

So way back when I started this blog I posted about "My Crown Jewel" or the center piece of my collection.  It was a commemorative ticket from the night Cal Ripken Jr. broke Lou Gehrig's record of 2130 consecutive games played! As a quick refresher I came by this particular piece of memorabilia via my sister who picked it up from her co worker who was seconds away from throwing it out.  Luckily Baps knows her brother very well and saved it for me.

At the time I was working for a rental car company in Aberdeen which happens to be Cal's hometown and home of his minor league team the Aberdeen Ironbirds.  We ended up getting him a few cars the very next week and he needed my manager to shofar some old ball players for the night and as payment he'd sign a few items.  Cal got a little kick out of seeing the commemorative ticket and signed it once in silver by the picture of him with is arm around Lou, but wasn't happy with it and signed again for me on the back in black. 

Since then I've kept it in the plastic lanyard that the ticket originally came in (which I regret because I feel like it faded the signature slightly) but recently had the chance to get it authenticated by JSA.  Not only did I take this measure but I also sent it off to Beckett at the same time for encapsulation.

Well I finally got it back in the mail and my prize possession is now safe for future generations.  I hope one day that it becomes a very valuable item!

Check it out!

As you can see the silver signature by his picture isn't very vivid...

 

But the second one on the back is very vivid!  Happy to have it protected for the future!

 

On another front I got another Linage relic as well putting my total at 51!  I got in a trade from Jedi Jeff!  I hooked him up with some cards from 2012 and 2013 Gypsy Queen in exchange for this sweet Jason Bay mini relic!

 

 

Only 50 more to go!  Hit me up if you got any that I need! You can find my updated need list in the Lineage Project Page.

 

Speaking of projects I also landed another 2010 Topps 206 Mini relic booklet of the electronic bay!  Normally I try to pull these cards via trade, but this one only cost me $6 bones!

 

 

Shin Soo Choo and Grady Sizemore

 

20 in the collection and only 5 left to go!

 

If you have any of these bad boys hit me up PLEASE!

 

That about does it for now in the world of Woogie!

 

I warn you now that it could be a while till I post again.  Hopefully something happens that gives me a reason to post.  Until then... back to Daddy duty.

 

Thanks for reading!