That corresponds nicely with the Dodger Buffet I showed last time from the trade package sent to me by Michael at Nomo's Sushi Platter.
I do like to splurge on occasion, though. Treat my stomach to something a little better. When that time comes, my favorite go-to food is... Sushi!
This third, and final, look at what Michael sent me represents the fine dining portion of the package. Mini-collection hits were the coffee and bagel to get me going. The Dodger buffet was a satisfying lunch. This is Thanksgiving dinner. (Yes, there's actually a very good chance that my family will be dining out on sushi that night.)
2013 Topps Chasing History Holofoil Gold Hanley Ramirez LAD #CH-46
These are sure perdy, with all their gold and glimmer. And Hanley's stock surged in my estimation this season. Nice to see him mature away from Miami. I really hope he can find a way to stay on the field more in 2014.
By the way... is it just me? I can't help wondering, where was the indignation over Hanley being drilled in the ribs in his first at bat of the NLCS. If Zack Greinke had delivered a crippling blow to Yadier Molina in his first AB, you can be sure there would have been no end to the whining and whaling from St. Louis fans about dirty pool. I'm not saying it was intentional, or that I reacted as though it were. I'm just really surprised that the baseball world as a whole seemed to shrug its shoulders about it, in a way that wouldn't have been the case if the bruised ribs had been Yadi's.
2013 Topps Chasing History Matt Kemp LAD #CH-22
2010 Topps Finest Matt Kemp LAD #12
Oh sure, just silver and no holo-glimmer? Come on, Michael, what kind of junk are you trying to pass off on me? Kidding aside, the main course consisted of some gourmet Kemp. The above is now my only Topps Finest card newer than the late 1990s. I've haven't ever seen a pack of these things since then, and I probably couldn't afford to buy 'em if I did.
2010 Upper Deck UD Game Jersey Matt Kemp LAD #UDGJ-MK
Ho hum. A relic card of one of the game's superstars, thrown into the package like it's no big whoop. Nice.
2013 Panini USA Baseball Champions Legends Certified Die-Cuts Red Ty Griffin USA #3 (143/299)
2013 Panini USA Baseball Champions Highlights Nomar Garciaparra USA #11
There was a good pack's worth of USA Baseball, which also included Ken Griffey, Frank Thomas and Ozzie Smith. These things are sweet. And Nomar was a Dodger. You can't claim him anymore, "Red Sox Nation." You cast him out. We'll take him, if only for winning the famous four-homer-ninth game for us.
Tons and tons of great stuff from Michael already. But here's what really blew me away...
2013 Topps Tribute WBC Yovani Gallardo Mexico #81
2013 Topps Tribute WBC Joe Mauer USA #20
2013 Topps Tribute WBC Jose Reyes Dominican Republic #30
Holy crap. Next to the Dodgers, international baseball is really what turns me on. I dig any WBC-related cards. These things are simply too high-end for me to have acquired through anything short of charity. The scans don't do them justice. They're beautiful.
I don't know how else to express my gratitude to Michael than to say thank you. Thank you very much. And I hope whatever I'm able to dig up to send you (this weekend, I promise!) brings you at least some of the enjoyment that you were able to deliver my way.
I enjoyed your three part trade post. Very well done my friend. One of my friends, who is also a collector, busts high end boxes. Whenever we hang out he usually gives me a stack classy singles that I wouldn't normally be able to track down. I keep the cards that are Dodgers and use the rest as trade fodder.
ReplyDeleteMichael is a great trader and a tremendous person. Glad he was able to hook you up with such a fantastic trade package.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your take on the Hanley drilling. I absolutely wanted us to "return the favor"
ReplyDeleteby being a little extra high and tight to the Cardinals.