To Patch or Not To Patch

I picked up these 3 manufactured patch cards on Listia recently.  They feature Josh Hamilton, Adrian Gonzalez, and Johan Santana.  I paid about 22,000 credits for the lot.  I actually have the rookie cards of Hamilton and Gonzalez featured on the patches.  That's why I bought the lot.  I am not really a fan of manufactured patch cards.  Unlike, a game used relic card, these patches were made for the sole purpose of becoming part of a baseball card.  The patch itself really has nothing to do with the game of baseball.  Still, I think I got a decent deal.  I may consider relisting the Santana card by itself on Listia to recover some of the cost. 

My First Zistle Trade

I recently completed my first trade on Zistle.  Zistle is a site that allows collectors to post what's in their collections, participate in forums, and trade cards.  The trade was fairly simple.  I gave up a bunch of 1991 Fleer base cards that I didn't want.  In exchange, I received a bunch of 2015 Topps that I did want.  I probably spend way too much of my free time posting the cards that I have on the Zistle site. 

Random Diamondbacks Lot

I picked up a lot of 7 Diamondbacks cards on Listia for a mere 76 credits.  There's nothing too special here.  It's mostly mid-2000s base cards.  It was a cheap lot, and I didn't have any of these cards.  However, the shipping lesson here is to utilize the penny sleeve.  It will prevent many dinged corners.  I'm complaining about some damage to a few of the cards caused by a lack of protection.  I don't think it's visible in the scan.  But, it's a pet peeve of mine. 

2015 Topps Series 2 From the Dollar Store

The Topps base set is a lot a nice dinner.  Series 1 is the appetizer.  Much like filling up on bread and salad, I usually buy enough Series 1 to satisfy me for the entire year.  Series 2 is the main course.  It looks good, but I have had too much of the Series 1 product, so I only take a nibble.  The Update Series is the dessert.  I don't have any room for it, so I typically skip it.  I bought 8 packs of Series 2 at the dollar store.  This will probably be my only Series 2 that I buy.  My haul was rather ho-hum.  The highlight of the packs was the base card of hobby friend Pat Neshek, which comes in an attractive landscape format.  The only duplicates that I found were of Twins' infielder Danny Santana.  I got what I paid for.  No complaints. 

Listia Mailbag: The Bossman

I picked up this game used jersey card of BJ Upton on Listia for just about 4000 credits.  The card is from 2014 Topps Heritage.  I wish I bought more Heritage, because I really like the card designs.  In 2014, he was BJ.  But now, he is Melvin Upton, Jr.  That sounds like the name of a scientist, not a baseball player.  The card came with a couple of small stress creases, but they don't take away from the card's overall appearance.