It Only Took a Decade and a Friendly Enemy to Land my First One

Aloha, everybody, 

As far as rivalries go, sports rivalries are among the bitterest. Often for no other reason than being born into a family of fans from one team, we're raised to hate a different team, it's stadium, colors, and fans. 

If the rivalry is held deeply, just the sight of another person wearing a cap or jersey can set off a Pavlov-like reaction. We've seen it with the Yankees and Red Sox, Dodgers and Giants, the Orioles and...heck if I know who...but you get the idea. 

Some rivalries, like the Dodgers and Giants, go waaaaaay back, all the way to the days the teams shared bandbox stadiums in the boroughs of New York. Well, this isn't one of those. The timeline isn't as long - stretching back to 1988, but when it runs hot - baby, it runs red hot. 

Bulldog was the 1988 NLCS MVP vs the Mets

I'm talking about the Dodgers and the Mets. These two teams are far apart geographically, and sometimes in the standings, but when they meet, the fire from their playoff battles in 1988 and again, in 2016, burns bright. I remember heated Dodgers/Mets blogger battles after the Chase Utley slide controversy. 

I lay all of this groundwork because that's what makes the friendship between myself and Kaz all the more special. Kaz used to blog back in the day, but he's since moved on to other things. Luckily, Twitter is one of those things, so we've been able to keep channels open that way, and we continue to send each other cards from time to time. 

Topps Turkey Red 

Kaz recently sent a PWE to me, and that's why we're gathered here today. I showed off a couple of cards already, let's check out what I else found in that envelope...

Returning to the Hershiser card, we have the rear shot. I loved opening packs of 1993 Leaf because I couldn't get enough of these crazy shots of gigantic baseball players dwarfing their cities. 

Love this card tribute to Julio Urias' major league debut, when he was just 17 years old...

Kaz tossed in some minis from the 2011 MLB sticker album...

 This Jackie Robinson is high gloss and shiny (nice!)...

Finally, this baby. My first printing plate. By all weights and measures, rivals would never share with each other. But this is the card collecting community. We operate on a different level...

It seemed as though everyone in my collecting circles had at least one printing plate, but not me. Not until now. 

Sweet, right? My collection is continuously expanding, thanks to the usual suspects - and even from the occasional enemy (but an enemy only inside the chalk lines). THANKS, Kaz! 

Aloha! 

The Dodgers and Mets are Angry Now - But It's All Good in the Blogosphere

Aloha, everybody, 

In the battle of coasts, the Dodgers are playing the Mets here in L.A., and boy, is that series getting hot. The Dodgers have been pounding the Mets over the past few games, and those New York boys aren't too pleased about it. 

It seems the Dodgers-Mets rivalry has really gained steam over the past few years, and it's not really the friendly kind. That said, at least out here in the blogosphere (and in Twitter), die-hard Mets fan, Mark Kaz and I have found common ground and friendship through our hobby. 

Mark sent a PWE to me way back in May, and I'm finally getting around to posting about it. In fact, I've got a few trades that have been waiting on the corner of my card table for me to scan and write about. 

I think I can speak for others when I say, if you've sent a PWE or package, rest assured I appreciate it and I'll eventually post about it. I apologize if it takes a bit longer than we both expected. 

Since it's Dodgers vs Mets week, I figger the best PWE to start off with is Mark's. Let's check out what he sent...

Mark sent along the last card I needed for my 1977 Topps Dodgers team set. Aside from some splotchy ink runs on the left, this card is a beauty. 

Poor ol' King here never got higher than AAA ball, but that's a lot further than me. 

Here's a guy who did punch his way out of the minors. After a long batting slump and an outfield collision with Yasiel Puig that nearly killed him, young Joc is finding his power swing again. 

Gimme Fernando. Gimme all yer Fernandos. Right now. 

You can barely see it on this scan, but EK's mouth is agape because he can't fathom what the heck he's doing superimposed on a cliffside trail (complete with wooden handrail) high above the California coastline. 

 Montas had a strange, short stint with the Dodgers that ended with a broken rib and him being traded to Oakland for Rich Blister-boy Hill. 

This is a beautiful, sparkly card of a guy who was a decent pitcher for the Dodgers, but was eventually traded away. He was also appreciated for the giggles that ensued when we referred to him as "Ball-slinger". 

 Now we're talking. Here's one of the greatest ball-slingers of them all. Can't have too many Koufax's. 

Or too many of this guy, who was a favorite on both my and Mark's teams...

Dig that California beach boy hair shining in the California sun. 

As Piazza reminds us, the LA/NY connections run deep, and no beef on the field will ever break those ties for us collectors. 

Aloha!